Maria Teresa Cifone

Maria “Teresa” Cifone, 87, of Yonkers, NY, the finest, most exemplary wife, mother, grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, and friend, left this world in the early morning hours of September 11, 2023.

Teresa was born and grew up in Comiso-Sicily in a large and loving family to whom she was devoted her entire life. Like many Italians she made the voyage to Venezuela to be with her sister, and there she met the love of her life, a young Guido Cifone, who had also years before left Italy to find opportunity in South America. They married soon thereafter in 1962 and had two daughters, Nancy and Veronica, and eventually in 1968 emigrated yet again bound for New York where their American dream began.

Teresa made a life in 3 different continents, spoke 3 languages, and had a successful career in the bridal business having made hundreds of brides’ dreams come true. She showed her two little daughters that you could be the best mother and wife ever while still pursuing a career outside the home and was persistent in her opinion that education was the key to a successful life. Helping and being there for her family and friends was absolutely everything to her. She was tireless in her desire to be of assistance in every possible way. Her meals, her hospitality and her holidays are the stuff of legend. Her impeccable fashion sense and her “Italian Movie Star” persona and image – well into her 80s—was inspirational and aspirational all at the same time. Beautifully dressed, coifed, and accessorized as appropriate for every occasion, or even a trip to the supermarket, Teresa led by example and always led with “yes.” Her love for everyone she encountered was always manifest and we will miss her every day for the rest of our lives.

Teresa was no doubt received in heaven by her parents, Giuseppa (Seminara) and Salvatore Incardona, her sisters, Pina LaPerna and Sara LaPerna, her brothers, Angelo and Antonio Incardona, and her son-in-law, Gaetano Graziano, who are rejoicing that she is with them.

She is survived by her devoted and loving husband, Guido, of nearly 62 years, her adoring daughters, Nancy (Michael) Mezzacappa and Veronica Graziano, her extraordinary and devoted grandchildren, Gabriella Mezzacappa, Michael Mezzacappa, Giovanni Graziano, and Sofia Graziano, for whom the sun rose and set, her brother, Filippo Incardona, her sister, Salvina Incardona, and dozens of adoring nieces and nephews, and friends, all of whom adored her positive can-do spirit, her well of generosity, her intelligence, her warmth, her extraordinary meals and hospitality, humor, and love of life.