Maria Weller 1991-2025

Maria was born Jan. 16, 1991, to Michael Margala and Mary Jo Santangelo Margala. Maria brought beauty, warmth and boundless creativity into the world from the very beginning.

From a young age, Maria discovered a love for sewing that blossomed into a lifelong passion for fashion design and styling. Everything she touched, she made more beautiful.

After graduating from Ursuline High School, she attended Kent State University and earned her degree in Fashion and Design.

Her professional journey took her from Columbus, where she worked for Express, to New York, and eventually to California, where she joined Reformation and contributed her talents as both a stylist for Stitch Fix and in a collaborative side business with colleagues.

After six years on the West Coast, Maria returned home to Hubbard, where her heart would find its match in her one true love and forever best friend, John Weller. Maria and John were married at St. Edward Church on April 14, 2023. In every sense, they were partners, whether traveling together, attending church, having weekend breakfasts with the family, walking their beloved dog Malou or riding bikes. Their love was laughter, and they were each other’s favorite person in the room.

Maria wore many titles in life: daughter, sister, niece, cousin, wife, aunt and friend. She was a devoted volunteer at St. Edward’s food pantry, a beloved member of her gym community and co-creator of a fashion camp, developed with her colleagues Rob and Joe, designed to inspire STEM students. In everything she did, she gave generously of her time, talent and heart. But more than her accomplishments, Maria found joy in life’s simple moments. She lived with intention, and her presence was always deeply felt.

She is forever cherished by her loving parents, Michael and Mary Jo Margala; her sweet sister, Julianna Margala; her beloved brother and sister-in-law, Jimmy and Katie Weller; beloved nieces, Louisa Maria Finelli, Ellie and Charlie Weller; her grandmother, Bernetta DiBacco Margala; Uncle Rudolph and Auntie Pamela Byce; Uncle Vincent Santangelo Jr. and Debbie Grilli; Uncle and Aunt David and Roz Margala; Aunt Charlene Verner; Uncle and Aunt Erik and Christina Brown; and many great-aunts, great-uncles and cousins. She held a lifelong, sibling-like closeness with Cristina Marie Byce Sheehan (husband Tim, and daughters Millie and Ivy); Brian Vincent Byce (wife Lisa); and Nicholas Anthony Byce (wife Madeleine). Beyond her family, Maria will be missed dearly by friends, colleagues, and loved ones whose lives she made brighter.

Maria was preceded in death by her grandparents, Charles Margala, Vincent and Mildred Santangelo, and Uncle Doug Verner. She is now at peace, reunited in her forever home with her husband, John Weller, and her beloved in-laws, James and Ronnie Weller. Her absence is immeasurable, and so is the love she leaves behind.

There will be a Mass of Christian Burial 1 p.m. Saturday, July 5, 2025, at St. Columba Cathedral, with the Very Rev. Msgr. Robert J. Siffrin officiating.

Calling hours will be 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the church.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of Stewart-Kyle Funeral Home. Family and friends are invited to visit the funeral home’s website at www.

stewart-kyle.com to share memories and condolences.

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