Ersilia Maximo (nee Toconita), a lifelong resident of the Northern Liberties section of Philadelphia peacefully fell asleep in the Lord on September 13th, 2016 with family by her side. She was 94 years of age.

The beloved wife of the late Stephen J. Maximo, they had been married for 71 years before his passing in 2013. Together they owned and operated the Real Cycle Co., a bicycle manufacturing and repair company located in the Northern Liberties section of Philadelphia. Living near to the business, they raised their children Stephen Jr. (Anita) and Catherine H. Jones (Leonard). Ersilia and her husband were active church members and supporters of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America. She was a hard worker who held many jobs before becoming the owner of Real Cycle Co. with her husband. During the Second World War, Ersilia worked at the Philadelphia Navy Yard and while there, received an award for selling the most War Bonds. She was also an administrative assistant to the head furniture buyer for Snellenburg's Department Store and later was a hairdresser who owned her own beauty salon.

Ersilia loved to help people and was a strong believer in family. She was the dear aunt of Cecelia Stewart Derstine (Robert), the beloved grandmother of David (Mary), Christopher, Michael (Katherine) and Nicholas, and also proud great-grandmother of Zoe, Brendan, Kyra and Willa. She is also survived by her beloved nieces Helen Freudig and Anna Mae Myers and by her many nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

All are invited to St. Stephen Orthodox Cathedral at 8598 Verree Road, Philadelphia, for her viewing 7:30 PM until 9:00 PM on Monday, September 19th. Parastas (Memorial Service) prayers, open to all, will begin at 7:00PM. Ersilia's Funeral Service will begin 10 AM Tuesday following her viewing beginning at 9 AM. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery in Roslyn, PA.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations in Ersilia's memory may be offered to the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America, PO Box 309, Grass Lake, MI 49240-0309, or to St. Stephen Orthodox Cathedral, 8598 Verree Road, Philadelphia, PA 19111.