Samfira Dalalau's Obituary
Samfira was born in Oarba de Mures, Romania, on January 17, 1933, the last of five children of Carolina and Pavel Moldovan. During her childhood in her native village she loved school learning and also composed, recited and sang poems and songs for which she was recognized by her teachers and her community. At age 14 she was recruited to study to become and opera singer in Romania, but her mother believed that Fira was too young to leave the family and become a singer. When she was 17 Samfira met the love of her life, Ioan Dalalau, whom she married in September of 1950, and to whom she stayed married for 66 years before Ioan's passing in 2016. Fira and Ioan spent the first 41 years of their marriage in Tarnaveni, Romania, where they raised their two children, John and Daniela. In 1991, Fira and Ioan moved to Cleveland, Ohio, to live closer to their son John and his family. They lived in Cleveland, OH close to their children, grandchildren, and grand-grandchildren for 25 years. After Ioan's passing in 2017 Fira moved to Minnesota to spent the rest of her life close to her daughter Daniela and her family.
Fira was a dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother, who worked tirelessly to make sure that her family needs were met and exceeded. A loving soul, a compassionate and giving person, Fira always put her family above her personal needs. She never once spoke about her needs, her personal time, or things that benefited her. It was always the family that mattered first. A talented cook, she made sure that her family enjoyed delicious meals and deserts every day. Outside the home, Fira was employed by the same company in Romania for over 30 years, where she was recognized for her hard work and work ethic, year after year.
Alongside her nurturing and giving nature, Samfira was a strong-willed woman who knew how to confidently speak her mind when she need to. Everything she did Samfira did with good intentions, for the wellbeing of the family, and she not once went to bed without praying to God for her family.
Samfira passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 14, 2020. She is preceded in death by her parents Pavel and Carolina Moldovan; her husband of 66 years, Ioan Dalalau; her brothers, Grigore and Ioan, and her sisters, Anuta and Maria.
She will be dearly missed by her daughter, Daniela Orza and her husband Florin Orza of Woodbury, MN; her son, John Dalalau and his wife Elena Dalalau of North Olmsted, OH; her grandsons, Christopher Orza and Brian Orza of Woodbury, MN, Adrian Dalalau and his wife Stacey of Westlake, OH, and Paul Dalalau and his wife Victoria of Raleigh, NC; her four great-grandchildren, Colin and Amelia Dalalau of Westlake, OH, and Luca and Lydia Dalalau of Raleigh, NC, and many other family and friends.
Services will be held at Sunset Memorial Park in North Olmsted, Ohio, where Samfira will be laid to rest next to her husband Ioan.
What’s your fondest memory of Samfira?
What’s a lesson you learned from Samfira?
Share a story where Samfira's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Samfira you’ll never forget.
How did Samfira make you smile?
