Marie De Pinto was born on June 18, 1926 and passed away on June 18, 2016 - on her 90th birthday in Aliso Viejo, California. She is survived by her children: Jeanne, Bernadette & Ranjith. She is also survived by her 7 grandchildren: Sonali, Dan, Shanika, Amali, Natasha, Menuka, & Tanisha. She is further survived by her great-grandchildren: Matthew & Ethan. She is the last of her 6 siblings to transition.

Marie was born in Sri Lanka to her parents Arnold De Alwis & Amarasinghe Vidanage Premawathie at the height of the British colonial era. She married her husband Clarence on June 26, 1948. They took up residence in a tranquil, rural village outside of the capital city, Colombo, and settled into a modest life, devoid of electricity and running water.

Marie's free-spirited, gypsy longing took her around the world via sea & air to such far-flung places as the Isle of Capri, Paris, Rome, and Amsterdam. She traveled through Cape Town, South Africa midst apartheid and shared stories of having used separate toilets and restaurants throughout her visit.

Marie was the true Mother Theresa of our family - there are multiple anecdotes from people having seen her welcome strangers off the street, having fed them, cleaned their sores, and sent them off in new clothing. She often sewed handmade gifts, loved beading necklaces and bracelets for her family & friends.

She was deeply devoted to her family, profoundly forgiving and kindhearted. Marie was a visionary and deeply impacted our lives and she will be intensely missed by her children, grandchildren & great-grandchildren.

Marie loved humankind and this obituary cannot begin to fully illustrate her boundless qualities.

Per her wishes, Marie will be cremated. The date is TBD at this time.

Everyone is invited to honor her life at a celebration on Monday, June 20 at the following location: The service will take place at McCormick & Sons Mortuary: 25000 Moulton Parkway, Laguna Hills, California 92653.

Attendees are welcome to arrive at 5 pm. The official service will commence at 7 pm, followed by a small reception at the same location.

For more information, please contact: Sonali Fiske, cell: (949) 254-3538.