After a long and debilitating journey with Alzheimer’s disease, Marianna Alfano Messina, 84, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, the 9th of June with her husband of 65 years at her side. The family is heartbroken and will miss her loving smile, beautiful heart and twinkling eyes.
Marianna was born September 8, 1933, in Houston, Texas, to Samuel Joseph Alfano, Jr. and Mary Ann Mangiameli Alfano. She went to St. Joseph Catholic School and graduated from Incarnate Word Academy in 1951. Marianna had several leadership roles in high school and was elected Most Beautiful Senior. Soon after graduating, she married the love of her life, Joseph Messina. Their love affair that began in the 3rd grade continued throughout their lives together and will extend into heaven. Marianna and Joe were lifetime members of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church and the Italian Cultural and Community Center.
Marianna lived a wonderful life rooted in family, friends, Italian Heritage and strong Catholic faith. She was a dedicated and loving wife, a nurturing and selfless mother and grandmother, and a loyal friend to many.
Marianna is predeceased by her parents Sam and Mary Ann Alfano. She is survived by her loving husband Joe Messina: her children Frank (Trish), Greg (Diane), Ronnie (Sheila), and Mary Kay Cimo (Philip); and her eight grandchildren: Abby, Katie, Meagan, Annie, Joey, Sam, Sofia, and Cecilia. She is also survived by her brother Sam Alfano (Jere); and a large extended family. The family would like to thank Jovita Diaz and Judith Hernandez, the caregivers, for the loving care they gave Marianna during her illness.
Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o’clock in the afternoon until seven o’clock in the evening on Friday, the 15th of June, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston, where the recitation of the Holy Rosary is to commence at seven o’clock.
The memorial mass is to be offered at one o’clock in the afternoon on Saturday, the 16th of June, at St. Michael Catholic Church, 1801 Sage Road, in Houston, where Rev. Thomas F. Rafferty is to serve as celebrant.
