Maria Willi

Maria Willi (nee Fischer) 85, of Kingston of Vermilion, passed away April 29, 2023 with her family by her side. She was born on July 1, 1937 in Ruma, Yugoslavia. She immigrated to the United States, Cleveland, in 1957.

Maria married Matthias Willi on May 11, 1957 and celebrated 39 years together. In 1976 they proudly became U.S. Citizens. They lived in Sheffield Lake, Elyria, and North Carolina. Maria then lived in Wellington and Vermilion.

She was employed by Lyon Knitting Mills for a short time.

Her real job was the matriarch of this family, at which she excelled, teaching multi-generations of our heritage, and spreading her love. An excellent cook, you anticipated the smells of krapfen, schnitzel, potato pancakes, apple strudel, and kisses. She needed no pattern to knit, crochet or sew. She loved the little farm on Bechtel Road where she could tend the garden and farm animals, breed her toy poodles and share her knowledge with the grandkids; even teaching them to fish. But beware, the milk is goat milk.

Maria and Matt loved to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway and go polka dancing.

We took her to Vegas where she got to flirt with “Elvis” onstage. She was quite the Queen Elizabeth impersonator.

Maria was a Wellington Senior and St. Patrick Church volunteer, Red Hat Lady and master QVC shopper.

The little ones loved her doot da doos filled with quarters. And we’ll all miss her texting in broken English, her I love you’s.

She is survived by her children: Nicholas (Mary Beth) Willi, Andrew Willi, Rosemarie (Larry) Weiss, Bernard (Karen) Willi. Brother, Matthias Hummel. Step-brother, Josef Hummel. Grandchildren, Nick Jr., Bryan, Chris, Rob, Kat, Stephanie, Drew, Lisa, Scott, Jennifer, Jeffrey, Alexa. Great- Grandchildren, Susie, Emily, Rileigh, Leslie, Val, Sam, Nathan, Louis, Jacob, Alex, Zach, Abigail, Theo, Matt, Andrew, Adriana, Gabriella, Miles, Kevanni. GG Grandchild, Holden.

She is preceded in death by: Parents, Andreas and Maria (Tackovich) Fischer. Husband, Matthias Willi (1996)

The family will receive friends Sunday, May 7, 2023 from 2pm to 6pm at Liston Funeral Home 36403 Center Ridge Road, North Ridgeville, OH 44039. A Mass of Christian burial will be on Monday, May 8, 2023 at 10am at St. Peter Catholic Church 35777 Center Ridge Road, North Ridgeville, OH 44039. Interment will be at St. Peter Cemetery.

The family would like to thank Kingston of Vermilion and New Life Hospice for the loving care of our mother and her family.

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