Maria Mogentale
5 August 1931 - 27 September 2026
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About
Birthplace: Molin, San Rocco di Tretto, Schio, Vicenza, Italy
Residence: 48 Story St, Fairy Meadow, NSW Australia
Service Date: Thu, 8 October 2026, 11:00 AM
Service Location: St Columbkille’s Catholic Church, 99-119 Princes Highway Corrimal
Service Information:
https://funeralannouncement.com.au/maria-mogentale/
Life Timeline
Maria was born
Maria Mogentale was born 1931, in Molin, San Rocco di Tretto, Schio, Vicenza, Italy. Her parents were Giovanni and Eurosia Dalla Vecchia. She was the second youngest of nine children; Vitaliano, Rino, Romolo, Suor Elisabetta, Toni, Remo, Pio, Maria and Vittorio. She also lived with her grandfather, two widowed uncles, three male cousins and one Zia.
Tragic passing of her mother Eurosia
Her beloved mother Eurosia Dalla Vecchia died when Maria was only eight years old. This changed the course of Maria’s life immensely. Her father, Giovanni Dalla Vecchia, worked in a factory in the city to provide for his family, so Maria, her sister and her Zia Teresina had to help look after the 14 men in the household. At just eight years old, she became a cook, a maid, a seamstress, a nurse and everything in between. A burden that no child should ever have had to carry, on top of the grief of losing a mother. My Nonna Maria had an extraordinary level of resilience and commitment to her family, this is what makes her life story just so remarkable. A story of courage, new beginnings and love.
Knitting with the Cows
Maria used to use the wool from their sheep to knit socks and jumpers for the family. She once recalled a time when she was 10 years old and she took her knitting out with the cows to knit socks for her brothers. She was incredibly resourceful, creative and talented in many ways, despite not attending school until she was 10. Her father was extremely strict so he didn’t let her go to school before then because she had to stay home and look after the family. Her only social life included going to Church every Sunday. When Maria’s sister left home in 1942 to join the nunnery, her and her Zia had to work even harder to look after their family. Her Zia Teresina, whom she loved dearly, became a mother figure for her growing up. One of Teresina’s heartbreaking memories was of watching Maria standing on a stool to mix a large pot of polenta. Her Zia recalled crying and feeling so saddened to have to watch such a young girl do that considering her circumstances.
Maria marries her beloved Guido
Nonna spoke fondly about her trip to Australia in 1956. The trip took her 29 days. She spoke of it as ‘her first taste of freedom’ at only 25 years of age, and she made the most of it by doing as many activities as she could on the ship. My Nonna, she was a very social person and had a larger than life personality. Maria loved Australia as soon as she got here and always did. Soon after her arrival, on the 24 November, Maria and Guido married. They then bought their house in Fairy Meadow and lived there for the remainder of their lives.
The proposal and a new life in Australia
Maria’s dear late husband (my Nonno Guido), once told the story of meeting my Nonna on the bus coming home from the markets. After he moved to Australia for work he was still writing to my Nonna. In one of his letters he asked her if she would move to Australia to marry him. She said yes, but her father was furious about this. He didn't want her to go to Australia and so, he never even said goodbye to her. This was very sad for my Nonna. He later died before she got a chance to see him again. Before leaving Italy, her brothers all came together to help Maria in preparing for her long journey and new life ahead. They gathered clothes and other items for her, to which she was so grateful for. Our Nonna was a strong and confident woman. To leave her family behind, move her entire life to another country and marry a man she didn’t know that well, epitomised her bravery and determination to build a new life for herself and her future husband.
Maria had three beautiful daughters
Many people don’t know this, but Maria had three children. Her first daughter, Matilde, tragically died at 6 months old. No mother should ever have to bury their own child. The immeasurable strength and resilience to survive this time of her life is an inspiration. She was later blessed with two beautiful daughters; Milena and Gianna. In their earlier life they had no stove, no car, no washing machine and no telephone. Even when she finally got a washing machine Nonna would still be found hand washing most of her laundry much to her daughter's surprise. She was such a talented sewer and used to make the most beautiful matching outfits for her daughters, as they didn’t have much money to buy any. Despite having so little she created a beautiful life for her family. She always kept the home warm, welcoming, tidy and organised.
Life in Fairy Meadow
Maria had an unwavering love and devotion to her family. She especially doted on her husband Guido. When he would come home from work, she would have his coffee ready and slippers out. Often, she would have dinner ready and get frustrated at him because he would be outside in the garden whilst it was getting cold. Maria built a warm, simple, hardworking life at home in Fairy Meadow. She loved her cooking, especially her homemade lasagne and fresh pastas. Like a true Italian she made everything from scratch. She would spend all day making pasta, and laying it across tablecloths on her bed to dry. Christmas was at Nonna’s every year. She used to make her famous pasticcio (lasagne) and it was without a doubt the best lasagne in the world that would simply melt in your mouth. The hardest part at the end of the day was deciding who got to take home the leftovers.
Athletic abilities
Maria passed on many of her wonderful genes and athletic abilities, including her speed. When Gianna was younger she has fond memories of being chased around the house by Maria’s feather duster- hiding in the bathroom (the only room with a lock). One of Milena’s earliest memories of Maria was at a Castagne day one year, where she entered the running races without hesitation. She was also the only Mother who went on some of the rides with all of the other Dad’s. Maria had a very outgoing personality and was very confident, especially for someone with English as a second language. She never knocked back an opportunity to have a conversation with someone, even if her daughters had to translate.
Maria becomes a Nonna
Maria couldn’t wait to become a grandmother. She would not stop asking her daughters when they would have babies so that she could have grandchildren. When Milena was first pregnant (with Maria's first grandchild Sonia), she had to go into hospital early due to high blood pressure. This was soon to be Maria’s first grandchild, Sonia. She urgently took Milena to the hospital and ended up getting a parking ticket which wasn’t funny at the time, but they laughed about it later. She was so worried at the hospital, justifiably so after all she went through with her first born, and all the while Milena was the one trying to calm her mother down from the hospital bed. Maria wasn’t a softly spoken person, so this probably wasn’t helping Milena’s blood pressure.
Commitment to Faith
Maria attended Italian mass every week with her family, and her and Guido were also in the choir. They were both faithfully committed to the Church. Our families would be ‘encouraged’ to attend mass each week and when we missed it, Nonna would be very disappointed.
Nonna...again!
In 1990, Maria become grandmother again. She was blessed with two granddaughters that year; Nikki and Rebecca.
It's a boy!
Maria become Nonna to a boy, Joshua! The first grandson and the first male boy in the family. Of course, Maria was very family with young boys having grown up with 7 brothers!
The most generous Nonna
Maria was the most warm, generous and loving grandmother. When we visited, she would empty out her cupboards, offering bowls of chips, biscuits and her favourite lemon cordial. Every now and then, she would quietly slip us some money, just because. She had a special way of caring for us grandchildren while going about her daily life, never making us feel like a burden. Rather, we felt like her companions.
Great love for life
am so grateful that she shared her love of cards with us, but most importantly, that she shared her love of life with us. Maria enjoyed the little things in life. She would often say, ‘money does not make you happy’. This was so true of her life. A life rich in faith, love and joy. Maria loved to play cards and would always sit down and play with the family. I remember countless late nights at Nonna’s playing cards in the kitchen. Maria had a great memory when it came to playing cards and no one could ever beat her. When we did, even Nonna would be surprised, as she never went ‘easy’ on us. She also loved watching her episodes of The Bold and the Beautiful and would eagerly fill us in on every detail of the show when we visited.
Nonna becomes Bisnonna
Maria was also the beloved bisnonna to 11 great grandchildren. She loved them dearly and would light up with joy whenever she saw them. She had a very special way with children and all her grandchildren and great grandchildren loved her dearly.