Maria Carmela DeBenedetto

A graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology, Maria was a graphic designer specializing in cosmetic and fragrance packaging in NYC before taking time to focus on her family and eventually becoming a chiropractic assistant at Westwood Family Chiropractic.

Everything Maria touched was made more special by her creative flair — holidays, entertaining, decorating, church and community volunteering, and more. She was often called upon by many family members and friends seeking creative advice or a second opinion on their decorating or party planning.

Maria was a parishioner of Sacred Heart Church in Rochelle Park, where she recently helped to start the Cornerstone retreat program. Previously, she was a parishioner of St. Joseph Church in Oradell, where she participated in the marriage preparation program and was an active member of Cornerstone. Maria was a founder and board member of RECLAIM to PROCLAIM, a family ministry that repurposes Christian devotional items.

Maria is survived by her mother Vivian Costanzo, her husband Martin, their children Daniella and Michael and pup Shiloh, her brothers Guy Costanzo (Lisa) and Stephen Costanzo (Donna), her sister Laura Stinziano (Joe), her mother-in-law Carmela DeBenedetto, her brothers-in-law Sal DeBenedetto (Rita) and Matthew DeBenedetto (Sharon), her sister-in-law Christine Castronovo (Charlie), several nieces and nephews and dear friends who will love and miss her always.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Sunday, February 26, 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm at Becker Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Road, Westwood. A Mass celebrating Maria’s life and faith will be held on Monday, February 27, at 10:30 am at Sacred Heart Church, 12 Terrace Avenue, Rochelle Park. The interment will follow at Maryrest Cemetery, 770 Darlington Avenue, Mahwah.

Donations in memory of Maria may be made to the Foundation for Women’s Cancer:

https://www.foundationforwomenscancer.org/support-us/donate/