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It is with heartfelt sorrow we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Nonna, wife, sister, sister-in-law, zia, cousin and dear friend. Lovingly surrounded by her family, Marisa was welcomed into the arms of the Lord on Friday, December 12th, 2025, at the age of 80 years old.
Marisa will be deeply loved and dearly treasured by her son Renzo (Sherri Chopp), son-in-law Dani (late Daniela) Mezzatesta. Gino & Marisa’s infant child, Joseph Stirpe (1969) will be welcoming his Mama at the gates of Heaven. Marisa was a devoted and nurturing Nonna, showering affection on her grandchildren Ambar and Alexis (Lexi) Phillion, together with Melina and Giulio Stirpe. She will be dearly remembered by her sister Claudia (late Vincenzo) Petrucci of Sarnia; late sister-in-law Enrica (late Luigi) Alfini; late sister-in law Vincenzina (Pino) Fabi in Ceccano, IT; late sister-in-law Franceschina (late Enrico) Forgnone in Rome, IT and sister-in-law Celestina (late Mario) Stirpe in Ceccano, IT. She adored her many nieces and nephews in Sarnia, Windsor and Italy who hold dear memories of her love. The backyard pool and table were places of endless laughter and shared meals. She was treasured friends through the years with Ercole and Delia DeSantis, Tony (late Elvira) Zangolli and Victoria (Vicki) Collier.
Awaiting Marisa at the Lord’s Eternal table is her husband Luigi (Gino) Stirpe, daughter Daniela Mezzatesta, her parents Achille and Giovanna Volante, in-laws Giulio and Annunziata Stirpe, brother-in-law Vince Petrucci, sister-in-law Enrica Alfini with husband Luigi, sister-in-law Vincenzina Fabi, Franceschina with husband Enrico, and Mario Stirpe.
She will also be lovingly remembered by her extended family and friends from Sarnia, Windsor, the United States and Italy.
My mother moved to Windsor with her family from Italy and became a hairdresser where she ended up owning her own hair salon. This is where she met her husband, Gino Stirpe. We all moved to Sarnia so she could start a store with my Zia Claudia called “Volante’s Imports” on the corner of Michigan and Murphy. My mother never gave up her love of hairdressing and ended up getting a job at the Hair Professionals on Murphy Road. My mother worked there until retirement through a few different ownerships, along with her close friend Vicki. My mother had built a strong relationship with many of her coworkers and clients over the years. One of the most rewarding times was when Lynsey Bowles took ownership. The salon became more than just a ‘place of work’, it was truly Marisas’ second “home”. My mom developed a close bond with the entire staff and would talk about them and the clients as if they were family! In fact, she often brought in food and fed them as if they were her own! If I can recall correctly, the staff thoroughly enjoyed her Arancini!!
When my mother knew her, grandchildren were coming over, she was so excited to see them that she would often have food ready when we walked in the door to express her love. She would sit in the living room watching endless dance routines cheering on all the grandchildren throughout the years! Walking into Nonna’s house you will pass the grandchildren's “art exhibit” (limitless pieces of artwork taped to the wall). Continuing into her dining room, you will see a wall covered in growth chart pencil marks and she would not have it any other way!
As everyone knows, my mother had other passions such as cooking and gardening.
My mother was a fantastic cook, and she was often told her sauce should be bottled and sold in restaurants. She also loved spending time in nature. For years she tended to her large vegetable garden until she could do it no more. She did however keep up her passion of cooking until the very end.
We will hold the love she gave her family in our hearts and keep her memory alive. Family and friends will be received at Smith Funeral Home, 1576 London Line, Sarnia, on Sunday December 21, 2025 from 1:00 to 3:00pm and 6:00 to 8:00pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, December 22, 2025 at Sacred Heart Church (Charlesworth at Lecaron Ave., Sarnia) at 11:00 am.; a burial will follow at Our Lady of Mercy Cemetery. In honouring my parents’ empathy for children in need, the family will gratefully accept baskets or hampers of food for all families in need this Christmas season, in lieu of flowers at the funeral home. Those who wish are asked to consider a donation to the St. Vincent de Paul Society where money will be used to purchase items for children and families in need (cheques only at the funeral home please).
