Obituary for Maria Giovanna Piccirillo
Maria Giovanna Mazzella Piccirillo, age 94, of the Bronx NY, passed away on Thursday, March 30, 2023, surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Maria immigrated from Isola di Ponza, Italy in 1954 and landed in the port of New York on the last voyage of the Andrea Doria on June 5th. She is survived by her 5 children, Fabrizio (Freddy), John, Lucia (Lucy), Concetta (Tina), & Silverio (Silvio). Maria is survived by her 6 grandchildren, Ralph, Tina Marie, Paola, Marc, Maria, Steven, and her great grandchild, Annie.
Maria was petite in stature and was lovingly referred to by her friends as Marietta (little Maria). In contrast, she was a large bedrock, by which we continue to move forward. They say big things come in small packages and that was so evident in her every being. Besides her 7 day journey to America, she had to survive the famines of WWII in Italy prior. She could always be found singing an opera concerto beautifully while doing her chores, and was always someone that would listen and share infinite wisdom based on her unique experiences. Her passion for a good espresso in the morning fueled her repetitive verbal alarm of getting her children ready for school. She always spoke of her loving parents (Concetta and Silverio) and expressed herself simply to others with the simple words: I love you. Her unwavering love for her children was second to none.
Maria's proudest achievement was her ability to dive from the significant island cliffs, as she had no fear to do so as a young teen. She was a seamstress, a skill she quickly learned would find employment in America, while awaiting her American citizenship, Raffaele, and her two oldest children, Fabrizio and Lucia, to join her. She exemplified a strong will, which was inspired by the patron saint of Ponza, San Silverio, and in so doing, she recalled how those prayers to him were answered when the Americans liberated the island from the Fascists. Her faith, demeanor, and tranquil attitude were steadfast attributes by which we should all live. Maria was a devoted wife and mother, and her smile was contagious to all. That larger than life smile was mostly heartfelt by her grandchildren. She had gentle patience and was strong as the bedrock she left behind.
Maria was petite in stature and was lovingly referred to by her friends as Marietta (little Maria). In contrast, she was a large bedrock, by which we continue to move forward. They say big things come in small packages and that was so evident in her every being. Besides her 7 day journey to America, she had to survive the famines of WWII in Italy prior. She could always be found singing an opera concerto beautifully while doing her chores, and was always someone that would listen and share infinite wisdom based on her unique experiences. Her passion for a good espresso in the morning fueled her repetitive verbal alarm of getting her children ready for school. She always spoke of her loving parents (Concetta and Silverio) and expressed herself simply to others with the simple words: I love you. Her unwavering love for her children was second to none.
Maria's proudest achievement was her ability to dive from the significant island cliffs, as she had no fear to do so as a young teen. She was a seamstress, a skill she quickly learned would find employment in America, while awaiting her American citizenship, Raffaele, and her two oldest children, Fabrizio and Lucia, to join her. She exemplified a strong will, which was inspired by the patron saint of Ponza, San Silverio, and in so doing, she recalled how those prayers to him were answered when the Americans liberated the island from the Fascists. Her faith, demeanor, and tranquil attitude were steadfast attributes by which we should all live. Maria was a devoted wife and mother, and her smile was contagious to all. That larger than life smile was mostly heartfelt by her grandchildren. She had gentle patience and was strong as the bedrock she left behind.