On Wednesday, September 14, 2011 Mrs. Maria Luisa DaPonte passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family.

Maria was predeceased by her husband Rodrigo in 1991.

She is survived by her two daughters Maria (George) Coelho and Gabriela (Costante) Munegatto both of Kamloops; eight grandchildren Goretty (Wayne) Rogers, Filomena (Rick) Sanchez, Emmanuel Coelho, Walter Coelho, Steven Coelho, Paolo (Sina) Munegatto, Rob (Crystal) Munegatto and Corey Munegatto (Amy); great grandchildren Richard Sanchez, Jordan Sanchez, Rhiannon Rogers, Malcolm Rogers, Jordan Munegatto, Kailey Munegatto, Saige Munegatto and Elias Munegatto.

Also left to cherish his memory is his brother John (Alda) Machado of Mississauga and several nieces and nephews in the US and The Azores.

Maria was born on April 1, 1920 in The Azores. She married Rodrigo in 1940 and they had two daughters. The family moved to Canada in 1966, where she worked for nineteen years at the Scott's Motel as a chambermaid. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother and cherished her family time. The Sunday evening family dinners with a glass of wine were very special to her.

Maria will be dearly missed.

Prayers will be recited on Monday, September 19, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. in Sacred Heart Cathedral. The Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated in the Cathedral on Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 11:00 a.m.

Entombment will follow at Evergreen Mausoleum, Hillside Cemetery.

Should friends desire, donations to the Heart Stoke Foundation, 203 - 635 Victoria Street, Kamloops, BC V2C 2B3 in memory of Mrs. DaPonte would be appreciated.

Condolences may be expressed at www.schoenings.com

Arrangements entrusted to Schoening Funeral Service, telephone 250-374-1454.