With hearts full of sorrow, yet anchored in hope, we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Maria Niculas, who went to be with the Lord on June 8th, 2025, at the age of 92.
Maria was born in Câmpia Turzii, Romania, on October 19, 1932, to Maria and Mihail Latiș. She lost her father at just three years old, and the early challenges she faced helped shape her into a woman of strength, faith, and resilience.
As a 16 years old teenager, Maria gave her life to Christ and became actively involved in her church, singing in the choir and participating in youth missions to neighboring villages. Her love for Christ and her commitment to serving others was evident throughout her life.
In 1955, she married Traian Niculas, and together they raised five children—four sons and one daughter. In 1988, she immigrated to the United States, later joined by her husband and daughter, and one by one her sons and their families. Maria became an active member of First Romanian Baptist Church, where she continued to serve joyfully.
Maria lived a life of deep faith and spiritual awakening. She loved the fellowship of believers, prayer, and worship. Her home was always open to visitors, where she extended warm hospitality, offering meals and encouragement to those around her.
She was a skilled and passionate seamstress, and her greatest joy was to work on wedding dresses. She beautifully intertwined her craftsmanship with wise counsel and pearls of Scripture, blessing each bride with spiritual encouragement for the new chapter ahead.
Maria was preceded in death by her husband, Traian Niculas, and their firstborn son, Nicu Niculas.
She leaves behind a legacy of faith and love in the lives of:
- Her daughter-in-law Ellie Niculas and her children: Alin & Vithy, and Claudia
- Marcel and Felicia Niculas and their children: Alexandra & McKenna, Cristian & Nicole, Patricia, Julia & Sebi
- Corneliu and Mădălina Niculas and their children: Abby & Cole and Andrew
- Theo and Cornelia Niculas and their children: Stephanie and Beniamin
- Christiana and Chris Gibson and their children: Emily & Danny, Matthew and Nathan
Her prayer and heart desire was that all her children, grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren – Michael, Anna, Maddie, Seth, Lucy, Theo and Lily – to carry on her legacy of love and faith.
In her final years, Maria longed to meet her beloved Bridegroom, the Lord Jesus. Although she was ready to go Home, she felt deeply the pain of parting from those she loved on earth. Today, our eyes are filled with tears, but our hearts are filled with the hope of reunion—where there will be no more sorrow.
Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”
“Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.” Revelation 14:13