AGOSTINO, Maria Domenica D’Agostino

Died peacefully on November 24th, 2025, surrounded by her family.

Maria was born in Miranda (Isernia) on February 28th, 1950. She and her family (Franceschelli and Casciano) immigrated to the United States, through Ellis Island, in August 1963. Her family settled in the then burgeoning Steel Valley of Youngstown, OH, and Maria graduated with an undergraduate degree in Education and Modern Languages from Youngstown State University in 1973.

Maria married her partner, Antonio (Tony) D’Agostino, on May 26th, 1973, and moved to Windsor, ON, in the same year. She and Tony were married 45 years before he sadly passed away in 2018.

Maria was a remarkable woman who touched the lives of so many who were fortunate to know her. Her friends knew her for her many passions; she loved to cook and, for those fortunate to break bread with her, recognized her as a culinary giant who fully mastered Mirandese and Molise cuisine. Her house emanated the aroma of the day’s menu, from sagne e fagioli, to polpette cacio e uova, to la panonta and la pastiera. It brought Maria great joy to cook for her family, and she always did it with grace and aplomb.

Maria was fiercely dedicated to her Catholic faith, praying regularly to her patron saint, Sant’Antonio da Padova, and donating regularly to the children’s orphanage run charitably by the Istituto Antoniano dei Rogazionisti.

Maria was also a proficient gardener. She came from a long lineage of farmworkers in Miranda; her garden was full of seasonal bounties, and it was not uncommon to see fresh herbs filling the cracks of the concrete at her house. She was a tender and caring homemaker, and her house fully embodied these characteristics.

Aside from her many passions, what is perhaps most remarkable about Maria is that she is a 14-year cancer survivor. During her life, she met medical hardships with strength and fortitude, and she leaned on her faith and family in these moments to always carry her through.

Maria was preceded in death by her parents, Mario and Amalia Franceschelli (Youngstown, OH) and her husband, Antonio (Tony) D’Agostino (Windsor, ON). She is the proud sister of Eliseo Franceschelli of Jensen Beach, FL (formerly Youngstown, OH); mother of Salvatore (Sonny) D’Agostino (Regan) of Elmira, ON; Amelia (Amy) Germanese of Windsor, ON (Micheal); and Mario D’Agostino (Janine) of Fort Lauderdale, FL; Sister-in-law to Robert and Sonia D’Agostino of Windsor, ON; Zia to Salina and Maia of Windsor, ON; doggy-grandmum to Dali, Blue, and Lulu; and, her most cherished familial role, Nonna to Lola, Roman, Zayne, and Tony Moe.

The family would like to thank CCAC, Saint Elizabeth Health, and the Cancer Program and Intensive Care Unit at Windsor Regional Hospital for the care they provided Maria throughout her journey. The family would especially like to thank her oncologist, Dr. Rasna Gupta; her family doctor and nurse, Dr. Brian Nhan and Brittany; and her homecare professionals: Adriana, Roberta, Sarah, Amber, and Malena. The D’Agostino family will forever be grateful to each of you.

Visitation will take place at Windsor Chapel Funeral Home – South Chapel, 3048 Dougall Ave, (519-253-7236) on Thursday November 27, 2025 from 8:30am – 10:15am, then to Most Precious Blood Parish (1947 Meldrum Rd) for time of Funeral Mass at 11:00am. Entombment to follow at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that you consider sending donations to the Windsor Cancer Center Foundation or the Goodfellows of Windsor.