Obituary: Maria Marinelli DiMarco, 90, of Waterbury

Obituary courtesy of Chase Parkway Memorial, the Albini Family Funeral Home

WATERBURY

Maria DiMarco

“Beloved Mother, Nonna & Bis Nonna”

Maria Marinelli DiMarco, 90, of Waterbury, was reunited with her husband in heaven on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, in the comfort of her home, surrounded by her loving family. She was the wife of the late Antimo “Tom” DiMarco who preceded her in death in 2020 and with whom she enjoyed 65 years of marriage.

Maria was born in Silvi Marina, Abruzzo, Italy, on May 30, 1933, a daughter of the late Filippo and Ida (DiVirgilio) Marinelli. She immigrated to Waterbury in 1955 after marrying Antimo in Italy on October 30, 1954. Maria was a devoted mother who raised her four children with love, care, and a deep appreciation for their Italian heritage. For many years, Maria proudly worked as a seamstress for the Mademoiselle Shop on Bank Street in Waterbury until her retirement.

Maria leaves behind to cherish her memory her four children, Massimo DiMarco and his wife Gloria; Anna Pettinicchi and her husband Robert; Giovanna Lepore and her husband Anthony; and Donna Orsatti. She also leaves behind her nine grandchildren, Blake Herrara (Ian), Thomas DiMarco (Katie), Jenna Pettinicchi (Robert Corbin), Bianca Pettinicchi (Patrick Marzullo), Elizabeth Pettinicchi (Billy Duong), Liana Giannamore, Marlena Giannamore, Giulia Orsatti, Mia Orsatti; and her five great grandchildren, Kyle Herrera, Beau Marzullo, Milo Corbin, Lily DiMarco, and Valentino Marzullo. She will be missed by her sister-in-law Jenny Marinelli, brother-in-law Remo DiGiulio (Celine); sisters-in-law Maria Anchini and Norina McKay; former daughter-in-law Jude’ DiMarco; many nieces and nephews; and friends and relatives in Italy. She was predeceased by her siblings Ivo Marinelli, Suora Gina, and Silvanna DiGiulio.

Maria had a magnetic personality, loved to socialize, and was full of laughter. She was universally warm and welcoming, inviting family and friends alike to join around her table for Sunday dinner or an afternoon espresso. She was an exceptional cook who maintained traditions like making homemade pasta and preserving and canning items grown from her and Tom’s abundant garden. She tended to her home diligently, making spaces flourish with her special touch. She loved caring for plants and feeding the birds who frequented her backyard. She enjoyed shopping in Waterbury and frequented nearly every grocery store in the area for the best sales and freshest produce. She would strike up a conversation with nearly anyone she met, was the life of the party, and was often seen on the dance floor at various family events. She traveled near and far to visit family, most frequently to Montreal. Above all else, Maria loved her family, and her greatest joy was being with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was blessed to spend her final years in fun-loving multi-generational home with her daughter Donna and her granddaughters Giulia and Mia. She will forever be loved by those who knew her and her memory lives on through her family.

The family extends a special thanks to Dr. Marc Ciampi, the team at DaVita Greater Waterbury Dialysis, Vitas Healthcare, and Maria’s home care provider, Kim.

Arrangements: A funeral will be held on Thursday, January 18, 2024, 8:45 a.m. at Chase Parkway Memorial, the Albini Family Funeral Home, 430 Chase Parkway, Waterbury, to Blessed Sacrament Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Waterbury. Calling hours will be held Wednesday evening from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Chase Parkway Memorial.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Maria’s name to

the National Kidney Foundation

or
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.