Maria Spariosu

Maria Spariosu was born in Barice, Banat, Yugoslavia on September 20th, 1934 to Father Vasa Cus and mother Ana Groza Cus.

Maria was an academician teaching literature poetry and languages. As she was multi-lingual, her mastery in memorizing long poems from famous literary poets in both the Romanian and Serbo-Croatian languages was beyond reproach and even her best and brightness students could not compare. Maria was an acutely intelligent and brilliant thinker with an outstanding photographic memory. During her tenure as an academician, not only she mentored numerous less fortunate students – whether they were orphans, or came from extreme poverty, but her philanthropy in helping these students and their less fortunate families were well known among her academic community colleagues and the town residents.

Upon moving to North America, Maria worked diligently and long hours in the hospital services industry to provide for her son to go to college and, indeed, she saw her son succeed obtaining three advanced degrees including his doctorate. She was very proud of her son and saw the fruits of her labor come to fruition.

Maria brought her exceptional intelligence and critical thinking to her latest career working as a case specialist for Orange County Housing Authority where she excelled amongst her peers and management. Maria’s consummate teacher instincts also propelled her to mentor more junior colleagues who always expressed their gratitude to Maria’s generosity.

Upon her husband’s passing, Maria retired soon after and moved with her son’s family in Thousand Oaks. In Maria’s true fashion, she doted on her son’s family and her two grandchildren – helping raising them and assisting wherever she could. She was always there for her son, daughter in law and her two grandchildren and even did gardening, cooking, house work with eagerness and enthusiasm. Maria was very active both physically and mentally and could never sit still. In the evenings, she was always reading classical literature and poems, and often talked with her family and friends who truly enjoyed Maria’s company and stimulating conversations.

Maria’s mind was incredibly sharp with a strong resolve for complete independence right up to the end of her life as she always wanted to be prior to her passing. Indeed, Maria’s generosity, utmost goodness through and through was rewarded by God as He called her home without allowing her to suffer.

Maria passed away swiftly and peacefully on March 20th, 2023 in Thousand Oaks, CA. Maria is survived by an older sister, Liubita Cus Mohora, her son, Kain Spariosu, her daughter in law, Marinica Spariosu, and her two grandchildren, Calin and Marin Spariosu. Maria passed away as she lived – strong, independent, and unafraid with her wish granted for her son’s family to be by her side. May the Lord receive you, Maria, in His loving arms and let you continue to be our guardian angel watching over us from above.

A Committal Service will be held on April 6th, 2023, at Green Hills Memorial Park, in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA.