85yo woman found dead in Adelaide home remembered as ‘generous, warm’ volunteer

A 91-year-old man has been arrested after his wife was found dead at a home in Adelaide’s western suburbs. 

Emergency services were called to Thornton Street in Findon about 11:20pm on Saturday after reports of an incident at the address.

SA Police said an 85-year-old woman was found dead inside the home.

Police said the woman’s 91-year-old husband was arrested at the scene and he was expected to be charged with murder.

Police said the investigation was in its early stages.

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has named the 85-year-old woman as Maria Dimasi, a well-known member of the Italian community in Adelaide’s western suburbs.

Mrs Dimasi volunteered at Nonna’s Cucina, a community-based meal service.

Her grandson, Stefan, is the non-profit’s executive chef.

“Stefan’s very own Nonna Maria is one of our wonderful volunteers who has passed on priceless traditional recipes to Stefan and our team,” the Nonna Cucina’s website reads.

Mr Malinauskas described Mrs Dimasi as a “very significant contributor” to the state, “particularly in the western suburbs Italian community”.

“Nonna’s Cucina, which would be well-known to a lot of South Australians, did amazing work delivering meals to people who are vulnerable, particularly the elderly,” he said.

“Home-cooked Italian cooking is something that was really valued by a lot of people in the western suburbs from Nonna’s Cucina, and Mrs Dimasi was central to that effort.

“Mrs Dimasi was a generous, warm individual.”

Videos posted to social media show Mrs Dimasi cooking pasta, gnocchi and biscotti in the Nonna Cucina’s kitchen and sharing her techniques with others.

Last year she was given a volunteer award by federal Hindmarsh MP, Mark Butler, in recognition of her service to the community.