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1946 Maria 2014

Maria Labate

January 25, 1946 — November 18, 2014

Maria Labate age 68, passed away on November 18th, 2014 at Salem Hospital in the company of her loving family after losing her battle with multiple myeloma. Maria was born January 25th, 1946 in Bologna, Italy to Alessandro and Yole Zamboni as the youngest of three children.

Following the Second World War in 1948 her family moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina to seek a better life. On April 23rd, 1964 Maria married her high school sweetheart Renato Labate and they shared fifty happy years together. In 1966 they started a family with son Andrs and added another son Alex in 1971. On May 10th, 1973 Renato relocated his family to America to receive proper medical care for Maria who suffered from severe rheumatoid arthritis. For six years they lived in Belleville, New Jersey they both worked two to three jobs to support their struggling family living in a small apartment. In 1979 Maria had fallen ill yet again and following doctors advice Renato moved the family to warmer climate to improve Maria's medical condition This time they landed in Palm Springs, California, where they opened Renato's Italian Restaurante. Maria continued to work as a high-end tailor, enjoyed being close to her extended family and was a central part of her sons' lives growing up while they attended Palm Springs High School. In 1995, the family escaped the construction crisis in California and moved to Salem, Oregon where they started The Marble Center, Inc.; fulfilling their dream of owning their own business once again.

Maria was a remarkable, strong, loving, empathetic person and greatest of all the favorite Nona to six grandchildren, whom she loved unconditionally and influenced in many aspects of their lives. From making authentic Italian lasagna and sewing matching doll costumes together to attending sport events, dance recitals and playing miniature golf with her grandchildren; Maria boosted their self-confidence and helped shape them into the kindhearted and determined individuals they are today.

Maria endured a life full of hardships particularly those surrounding her health, she never complained or let them define her; her strength and everlasting faith as a devoted Catholic allowed her to live life to the fullest, cherishing every moment. Although she will be missed more than words can describe, her family and friends take comfort in knowing that she has been reunited with her parents Alessandro and Yole Zamboni, sister Luisa Arcaro, brother George Zamboni, niece Claudia Aviles, and the Heavenly Father.

Maria is survived by her husband Vincent Renato Labate, sons Andrs and Alex Labate, daughter-in-laws Birte and Krystal Labate of Salem; and grandchildren Gina-Marie, Paula-Marie, Sandra-Marie, Andresito, Rocco and Maddie Labate.

A service will be held at Restlawn Funeral Home in West Salem on Saturday, November 22nd, 2014 at 11:00 a.m..
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Maria Labate, please visit our flower store.

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