Maria L. Sanzo

Maria was our “Nonna”, “Nonnina”, “La Regina”, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and the beloved wife of the late Gregorio Sanzo, who was the love of her life. Maria was born on January 28, 1932, in Chiaravalle Centrale, Calabria, Italy and was a Bridgeport resident since 1969. A daughter of the late Giovanni and Mariangela (Corrado) Cortese, Maria was a retired seamstress in the garment industry. Although Maria suffered from several medical conditions, Maria managed to live a full and very wonderful life.

Maria continuously taught her family about the values that meant everything to her: faith, family, friends, trust, respect and honor. She was a very devout Catholic who truly practiced and lived her Faith. Since the age of 15, she was a member of “La Congrega Della Madonna Della Pietra”, a society honoring the patron saint of her birth city of Chiaravalle. She was also a long-time member of the St. Padre Pio Society at St. Margaret’s Shrine; and, a life-time member of the St. Anthony of Padua Society, Padua, Italy.

Maria and Gregorio created a welcoming environment for anyone entering their home and maintained an open-door policy to their children’s friends. Until recent years when her health no longer allowed, Maria took great pride in cultivating her vegetable garden, beautiful flowers and, of course, making salami the Calabrese style, super spicy! All of which she enjoyed sharing with anyone who visited.

Maria's favorite holiday was Christmas Day when she made her trademark "Nonna's Manicotti" and various cookie selections for her entire family. She also loved celebrating the Feast of St. Anthony at St. Margaret's Shrine, and looked forward to participating and baking the St. Anthony's mini bread rolls for the blessing of the bread at the Mass Celebration. Of course, all grandkids were requested that they participate in the event and especially the Saint's procession!

Maria is survived by a devoted large family: Her daughters, Maria Teresa Valenti (Salvatore) and their children Anthony (Teresa) and Francesca; Angela Altavilla Cordery (Dr. Robert) and their children Simona Moss (Dr. Jonathan), Dr. Sonia Altavilla, Robert Altavilla (and fiancé Sheila Asija), Dr. Eric Martone, Jennifer Cohen (Joshua) and Mark Cordery (Anna). Son John Sanzo (Maria) and their children Adriana Dora (Sal), Christina Kampson (Rob) and Julia. Daughters Antoinette Antenucci (Steve) and their children Steven (Casey), Emily Antenucci Struss (Will) and Diana (fiancé Zack Gould); Anna Maria Reis (ZeLuis) and their children; Jessica Monteiro (Dan) and Joey Reis; her 13 great-grandchildren Mikayla & Elijah, Marcello & Matteo, Catalina & Daniel, Tyler & Isabella, Cecilia & Olivia, Charlotte & Emmett and Timmy; also, Bonus great-grandchildren Domenic & Gianna, RJ, Noah & Elijah, Talia & Zack; and her loving sisters Angela Fabiano and Chiara Iozzo (Nicola) of Toronto, Canada; Elisabetta (“Betta”) Corrado; beloved sisters-in-law, Giovannina Cortese and Fiorina Sanzo (Pasqualino) Mammone, of Chiaravalle and sister-in-law Stella Cortese of Lichtenstein; in-laws, John and Tita Sanzo of Arizona and Natalina Sanzo; Also, dozens of wonderful nieces and nephews, both here and abroad, by whom she was fortunate enough to be so kindly respected and regarded. She was predeceased by her infant son, Giovanni; brothers Salvatore, Giuseppe, Vincenzo, Franco and sisters Caterina Garieri and Antonietta Gulli’, son-in-law Larry Altavilla, and several in-laws.

Calling hours are on Sunday, June 11th from 4:00-7:00 pm, in the Spadaccino Community Funeral Home, 315 Monroe Turnpike (Route 111), Monroe, CT. Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 12, 2023 at 10:00am. Meet directly at St. Margaret’s Shrine, 2523 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, CT.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made “in memory of Maria L. Sanzo” to the St. Margaret Shrine maintenance fund (203-333-9627) or at the above address; OR to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation: (203) 229-0464 / PO Box 414238, Boston, MA 02241-4238 / https://themmrf.org/get-involved/ways-to-donate/ Burial will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Trumbull. The family would like to thank the wonderful Vitas Hospice staff; and, Dr. Frank Ciminiello and his staff, especially APRN Kristin, for their constant support. We also would like to express our special thanks to amazing aides Sinah, Rema and Janice, for all the tender, kind and devoted care they exhibited toward our Mother through her journey in the past year.