Obituary: Mary Maida, 92

To know Mary Maida was to love her. She had a smile, a kind word, a compliment, or an encouraging word for everyone. She loved to surround herself with people and had enormous energy and a love of life.

Mary, 94, was born on July 24, 1920, in Cosenza, Calabria, Italy. She came to New Jersey with her parents, Frank and Genoveffa Vigna, in 1929. She married Vincent James Maida in 1947 and moved to Hasbrouck Heights, NJ, where they resided until his death in 2002. When she came to Portsmouth, RI, she lived on Valley Lane before moving to Forest Farm Assisted Living in 2011 and finally to Atria Aquidneck Place in 2013. She was a very active member of the Atria community, participating in many activities, including Knitting for a Cause, arts & crafts, bingo, and her favorite—bocce ball.

Nothing meant more to her than her family. She is survived by her two daughters & sons-in-law, Geri & Fred Zilian of Portsmouth, and Claudia & John Chibbaro of Haworth, NJ, five grandchildren, Nicole Milici, Tom Zilian, James Zilian, John Chibbaro, and Cara Chibbaro. Finally, she was able to enjoy during her final years her nine great-grandchildren, the pride and joy of her life.

Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, April 14, from 4-8 pm at Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Rd., Portsmouth.

Her funeral will be held on Wednesday, April 15, 2015, at 10:00 am in St. Barnabas Church, 1697 East Main Rd, Portsmouth.

A private burial will be held in George Washington Cemetery, Paramus, NJ.