Tributes for Nonna Maria Dimasi after alleged murder in Findon as husband Frank Dimasi charged with murder

Grieving neighbours and community members say they’re still coming to terms with the alleged murder of Maria Dimasi. See the tributes on video.

Friends and family have stopped by the home of beloved matriarch of South Australia’s Italian community as it grapples with the death of Maria Dimasi.

Mrs Dimasi, 85, was allegedly murdered by her husband in her western suburbs home of six decades at the weekend.

Her husband, 91-year-old Frank Dimasi, was arrested at their Findon property after police were called to “reports of an incident” at 11.20pm Saturday and charged with murder on Monday morning.

He was refused police bail, remains in hospital, and is expected to face a bedside hearing later today.

As investigations continue, floral tributes are being left outside the home the couple shared for six decades.

Great-nephew Shane Cavallaro arrived at the house around 11am with a friend and laid a bouquet of flowers at the front door.

He said his grand-aunt Maria was born a Cavallaro and he’d come to pay his respects.

“My grandfather, my Nono, Giuseppe “Joseph” Cavallaro – that’s his sister.

“So I’m just here now to pay my respects.”

“I remember coming here as a young feller.

“I’m a bit upset – upset for the family … A bit shocked.

“It’s a tough situation – I just feel for the immediate family.

“Oh she was beautiful, I just remember coming here and she’d always be happy.

“You’d say what you been up to and she’d say ah you know, cookin’ and bakin’ and she just had that accent and it always brought a smile to your face.”

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Murder victim Maria ‘Nonna’ Dimasi with grandson Stefan Dimasi. Photo: Facebook

Sister Quintilia pays tribute to Nonna Maria. Picture: Zayda Dollie

Yellow crime scene tape has been removed and floral tributes have begun appearing at the home.

Sister Quintilia and Josephine Carbone, both from the Catholic Church where Mrs Dimasi attended communion once a week, visited the house on Monday morning, unsure whether anyone would be home.

They walked around the back of the house, no longer a crime scene, to knock on the door but said no-one answered.

Ms Carbone and Sister Quintilia said they had known the Dimasi family for 20 years and they were “both good people”.

Sister Quintilia said she was shocked to learn what happened from a friend who had seen the story in the news.

“I don’t understand why it happened, because both of them are very kind (people).

“I (never) noticed anything wrong inside.

“When we visit them it was all peace, all harmony.”

The couple’s next-door neighbour described Ms Dimasi as a “lovely woman”.

“These things happen,” she said.

“I’m just surprised it happened here.”

Shortly after their visit, a close relative of Frank Dimasi arrived at the house and said he was alerted by the alarm going off.

He did not get out of the vehicle but broke down in tears at the wheel after declining to comment.

A bouquet was laid by long-time neighbour and friend of the victim, whose husband said he had known the couple for 50 years.

“But I don’t know what happens in their house,” he said.

Mrs Dimasi volunteered her time at Nonna’s Cucina where her grandson is the executive chef of the taxpayer-funded community meal service.

Nonna’s Cucina president Rebecca Staltari described the Italian matriarch as a “passionate and dedicated” support of the enterprise.

“We are forever grateful for her time, energy, friendship and love, given over so many years,” Ms Staltari said.

“Nonna Maria is our Executive Chef Stefan’s Nonna, and also became everyone elses Nonna in our community.

“She will be remembered for her big smile and generosity.

“Nonna Maria loved volunteering in our kitchen, cooking traditional recipes and passing on her knowledge.

“She loved us, and we loved her.

“We will miss her immensely and are forever grateful for her love, support and friendship.”

The tribute was signed: “Love from the Nonna’s Cucina Family.”

Radio Italiana 531 said it joined the Nonna’s Cucina and Dimasi family in its time of grief.

“Nonna Maria was a sweet, smiling soul and she conveyed joy in everything she did,” it shared on Facebook.

“To Chef Stefan, his family and the entire Nonna’s group, we are with you in this moment of pain.

“Riposa in Pace Maria, ci mancherà il tuo sorriso.”

Originally published as Tributes for Nonna Maria Dimasi after alleged murder in Findon as husband Frank Dimasi charged with murder