Laura Mae Maurizio

Laura Mae Maurizio passed away in her home on December 7th, 2024 at the age of 93, surrounded by her loving family. She is formerly Laura Mae Jones. That’s JONES, as in “You are a JONES. You are strong. A JONES can do this.” That’s what she often said to herself in the midst of adversity, and what she proudly said to the people who share her DNA, when they would face the same.

She was born on May 4, 1931 in the Norfolk house where she was raised, the 5th of 10 children, to parents she loved deeply. Laura would often be asked to what she attributed her longevity. Without fail, she always replied, “I was raised on hard work.” The Jones family had a large garden, farm animals, and a poultry business, none of which took care of themselves. She explained that she quit school in the 9th grade “so our family could eat.” Her dad was a disabled World War I veteran, and Laura helped him prepare and process the chickens for food delivery. She lifted and hauled never-ending crates of eggs, plus countless pounds of chicken parts to consumers in their homes. She loved school immensely and loved learning with all her heart, but she consistently said with regard to leaving school, “I have no regrets. There was no other way. My family needed me.”

Laura’s mom passed away when Laura was 22, and Laura stepped up in a majorly loving and sacrificial way to help her father continue to raise her 4 younger brothers. “They needed a mom,” she would say. It was a labor of love and kindness that she thrust herself into with her heart of gold to make them the men of honor they became.

Laura was an admirably devoted wife and mother, a meticulous housekeeper (who found a specific place for EVERYTHING!,) a creature of habit (not in her eyes--only everyone else’s,) and a wonderful cook/food preparer. Her fried cauliflower was absolutely devoured by all, and her beef jerky, crab muffins, strawberry jam, eggnog, baby back ribs, and pumpkin rolls were among her most requested yummies.

Laura loved the water, and two favorite pastimes were crabbing on the Lynnhaven fishing pier (while watching the sunrise over the Chesapeake Bay,) and fishing or boating anywhere with her brothers Glenn and Russell. Laura and her twins would come home from a day of crabbing, only to be steaming and cleaning them well into the night alongside Laura’s devoted and loving husband Phil, who had worked all day delivering mail. Days of picking crabs ensued by them for the delicious reward. In later years, she got her water fix by watching every episode of Wicked Tuna.

She loved watching wildlife whenever she could, and she watched Animal Planet to the nth degree. In her own world, she enjoyed little wiener dogs, of which she owned 4 -- individually over the years. She carried them around so much that people would remind her that they had legs of their own that were meant to be used, and Laura also had to be reminded that dogs could actually eat something called dog food that came in a bag or a can, and that stovetops and a refrigerator weren’t always necessary at mealtime.

Laura/Mom/Sis/Auntie Laura and Grandma were all one precious woman with an exemplary fighting spirit who forged ahead in the clutches of her nemesis--osteoporosis. She persevered, injury after injury, healing and breaking down again, to the shock and awe of others. She was our living Humpty Dumpty. She was careful and cautious and non-impulsive, yet fractures and accidents still occurred, and she endured more pain and inconvenience with her body than many ever will know or who ever will in their lifetime. We will always be inspired by her tenacity and grit, as she was 180 degrees from any whimp or wuss. She was beyond brave and strong, and she will forever be an inspirational Light.

Laura is preceded in death by her loving and hard-working parents William Willis Jones Sr. and Florence Drake Jones, plus siblings William, Florence, Evelyn, Ann, Mary, Robert, and Russell. She is survived by her devoted and heartbroken husband of 73 years Felix “Phil” or “Mo” Maurizio of Norfolk; their forever-in-her-debt twins William Maurizio and Stella (Jesse) Waltz; grandchildren Kristin (Bryan) Campbell, Benjamin Waltz, Hunter Waltz, and Karlie Maurizio; brothers Herman D. (Betty) Jones of Newberry, Fla. and Glenn R. (Kathy) Jones of Gloucester; and a host of nieces and nephews with whom she had incredibly wonderful and loving relationships, and with whom she would happily pop a top of her go-to Miller Lite to laugh and cut up and share her warmth and unending love.

The family wishes to express sincere gratitude to the attentive and efficient staff at Gentiva Hospice, plus personal caregivers Jackie, Jeannie, Kim and Vera, and RN April Clements, for their skillsets, professionalism and compassion shown to both Laura and “Mr. Mo.” The family also wants to thank Susan Sigler, Cathy Swaim, Jon Clements, Gary Sigler, and niece Julia Casto for their countless hours of assistance and devotion to her, over the course of decades and certainly in her final weeks.

Friends and family will gather to celebrate Laura’s life well lived at the Virginia Beach Boulevard location of Woodlawn Funeral Home on Wednesday, December 18th. Visitation will begin at 12:30 with a 2pm Service. Please feel encouraged to wear any bright and festive colors that Laura so enjoyed.

The family asks that in lieu of sending flowers, please make donations to an ASPCA shelter.

View and post condolences at woodlawnnorfolk.com. (And since Laura has the right to have the final word, this is where she would say, “I don’t do the computer thing, but I can have someone help me.”)