My beloved Zia Maria entered my life just before I was born. She, along with my Zio Nino and cousin Anna Maria, came to America and lived with us in our two-family home in Queens. Growing up, I felt incredibly fortunate to have two mothers in my life - my American mother on the first floor and my Italian mother on the second. Upstairs, I was transported to a whole new world of sights, sounds, and smells that filled me with joy and love. My Zia Maria's singing in the kitchen accompanied by the aroma of homemade bread, pasta, pizza, Arancini (Italian rice balls), and many other Sicilian delicacies. There, sitting at the kitchen table, she told me riveting stories of her life growing up in the town of Chiusa Scalani and of her deep love for her family, friends, and her town in the mountains of Sicily. Zia Maria taught me that true happiness in this world comes from love and devotion to God, family, and friends. She spoke of the religious processions in her small town and how the prayers of intercession from Chiusa's patron saint, San Giuseppe, provided strength to endure the hard times. I loved seeing the photos and hearing her stories of the tradition of baking decorative bread for the feast of San Giuseppe and the gesture of hospitality towards the poorest of the town, who were welcomed into their home for dinner, where the ornately carved "pane di San Giuseppe" filled the table along with the many fruits and vegetables that Chiusa Scalafni is famous for. Zia Maria also spoke with great love about her mother, my Nonna Giovannina, and my grandfather, Nonno Nicola, who worked at home and on their farm in the countryside,” ala campagna”, outside their little town. When her sister, my mom Antonina, left for America after marrying my dad, Zia Maria remained in Sicily and took care of her parents. Zia Maria was a strong woman, and "Honor Thy Father and Mother" was an innate part of her character. She showed immense love and devotion to her mother as she cared for her through a prolonged illness, modeling true love and sacrifice, which her daughter would gracefully replicate in the years to come. When her mother went home to the lord, she decided to come to America to join her sister and start a new life for her daughter. Zia Maria worked hard in America in the garment industry for many years. I was born shortly after they arrived. The first fruits of her sacrifice came when Anna Maria met and later married Jimmy. Many graces followed with the birth of Kristen and Steven, their marriages to Matt and Tiffany, and two beautiful grandchildren Vivian and Max. What was so striking was despite Zia Maria never really learning English, she could communicate with an ever-radiant smile and love whenever with any family or friends. My Zia Maria loved me like a son, and I miss and mourn her as a mother. I take solace in knowing that with her passing there is yet another saint praying for us in heaven. Her love, her stories, and her spirit will live on in my heart forever.

♥️Our Dear Zia Maria was Very Special to My Family and throughout my life I will Always remember Her Love for Us especially for Our Son ... Zia will Always be remember by her talent of crocheting beautiful pieces to Her delicious breads and works of Art when making San Giuseppe Bread? and Delicious meals ... She Always Welcomed Us with open arms and Her Joy came from doing all that and more ♥️ She will Forever be remembered with Much LOVE and I will miss hearing her Sing and being upclose to her and whispering funny stories and things we'd talk about... to me she was like a second Mother and Nonna to Our Marco as she Loved my Mother, Her Sister Very much and showed that Love to us Always ❤️❤️❤️ My Dear Zia Maria will be missed and Loved Always... I pray ? she is Resting in Eternal Peace with All of Our departed Family and Loved ones... With Much LOVE ALWAYS, Cathy, Nino, Marco&Laura ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.