Obituary of Maria P. Toliver

Maria Piedade Toliver passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 10th, 2020, after a courageous battle of over five years with ovarian cancer.

Maria was born January 26th, 1958, daughter of the predeceased Roque Mascarenhas and Ligorina Colaco, in Mahim, Maharashtra, India, where she grew up.

Maria was full of joy and was always up for a challenge and adventure. When she was 19, she moved to Paris, France, where she had her two children, and then moved to Peekskill, NY, USA when she was 30 years of age. She loved gardening, going to the beach, playing with her grandson, everything Goan, online shopping, road trips, watching Indian soaps, her dog (Max), copious amounts of sugar in her beverages, and her biggest joy was cooking and feeding her family and friends. She had a broad, radiant smile that lit up a room, banished gloom, and befriended complete strangers. She also had a kind and optimistic heart – always ready with words of strength and support or a big hug – and a warm and generous spirit that all of her family and friends can attest to, but especially the residents of Drumhill Senior Living Facility, where she worked for over twenty years. She was a strong believer in God and she dedicated her life to serving and helping others.

Maria was a loving wife, mother, sister, godmother, aunt, a great friend, and a delight to everyone she crossed paths with.

Maria is survived by her husband Roland Toliver of Peekskill, NY, children; Francis (Rochelle) Guiao of Somerville, MA and Rosaria (Keith) Lewis-Spencer of Old Bridge, NJ, grandson Kendrick Lewis-Spencer of Old Bridge, NJ; siblings; Victor (Margaret) Mascarenhas of Paris, France, Lucy Dias of Santa Cruz East, Maharashtra, India, and Theresa (Antonio) Rebello of Santa Cruz East, Maharashtra, India, brothers-in-law; Leon Toliver of Lawton, OK and Scott Toliver of Washington, D.C., godchild Johanna Kader of Pune, Maharashtra, India and Audrey Gonzales of Swindon, UK; the father of her children Antonio Guiao of Peekskill, NY; and many nieces and nephews. 

Visitation will be held at Joseph F. Nardone Funeral Home on Friday, December 18, 2020, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Church of the Assumption on Saturday, December 19, 2020, at 11:30 am. 

Interment to follow at Assumption Cemetery.

Donations in her memory can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

The recording of Marias's Mass Service and Interment service can be viewed here.