Submitted by: Dan Rich

Maria Christina Simper

Aug. 23, 1968 - July 2, 2005

South Bend Tribune 7/4/2005                          

Maria Cristina (Portolesi) Simper, 36, of Billington Court in Granger, died in her residence at 4:45 a.m. Saturday, July 2, 2005, after an illness. Maria was born August 23, 1968, in Mishawaka, Ind. to Angelo and A. Cristina (DeDomenico) Portolesi.

On September 4, 1993, she married Brian H. Simper in Mishawaka, Ind. Brian survives along with one daughter, Marissa and one son, Grant, both at home. Also surviving are her parents of Granger, Ind.; two sisters; Dr. Rachelina P. Bartlett of Granger and Rosella (Thomas) Postula of Portage, Mich.; her father and mother-in-law, Jack and Joyce Simper of Elkhart; sister-in-law and brothers-in law, Michele and Joe Jensen of Franklin, Tenn. and Cindy and Leo Denault of New Orleans, La. Also surviving Maria are nine nieces and nephews, Marina and Antonia Bartlett, Cristina and Angela Postula, Emily Jensen, Lauren, Patrick, Courtney and Jennifer Denault; and six sets of aunts and uncles who live in Italy.

Friends of Maria may call Tuesday from noon to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Hahn Funeral Home, 505 W. 8th St. Mishawaka, where the Holy Rosary will be recited. Friends may also call one hour prior to the Mass of Christian Burial which will be held Wednesday, July 6, 2005, at 10:30 a.m. in St. Pius X Catholic Church in Granger with the Rev. Daniel Scheidt officiating. Entombment will be in the mausoleum at Fairview Cemetery.

Maria, a stay-at-home mom, received her BA in accounting from Indiana University and also earned her CPA license. She was a member of the CPA Society and had previously been employed by Partners Health Plan. She also attended St. Pius X Catholic Church.