The Catroppa family has created the Maria Catroppa Memorial Award at Kwantlen Polytechnic University to help single mothers who may not otherwise be able to further their education.

“We’re very excited to announce that applications for the first award (of many), for the Maria Catroppa Memorial Fund will begin on Jan. 30, 2012 and runs until Feb. 29, 2012.” said Jay Tuason, Maria’s daughter,”We hope to help many women in the coming years however this being the first year, is particularly exciting for us. Please share this link with anyone who you feel would benefit from the fund or knows of anyone who would benefit. Right now the scholarship awards approx. $3000 annually, however we want this to grow substantially over the coming years and as a family, we are contributing to the fund regularly.”

Details of the fund and how to apply can be found by following this link to the Kwantlen award website.

“What better way to honour her memory and to help women in need than to create an award in her name?” says Giuseppina Osterman, Maria’s daughter.

It has been a privilege for Surrey Women’s Centre to learn Maria’s story. We have had the honour of sharing in private memories, photos and stories. The Catroppa Family’s immeasurable grief is only matched by their infinite
compassion to tell her story to save others.

You can also join Maria’s family and the Surrey Women’s Centre in helping women and their families escape violence.

Click here to donate a gift to Surrey Women’s Centre in honour of Maria today.

Maria, may you rest in peace.