Maria (Vignone) Ficocelli

Maria Vignone Ficocelli, 96, of Wethersfield, passed away peacefully on February 12, 2019. Maria was born on September 23, 1922 in Sepino, Province of Campobasso, Italy. She was preceded in death, by her parents, Mariangelo and Francesca (Vallera) Vignone, her husband Saverio Ficocelli, son Domenico Antonio Ficocelli and daughter-in-law Arcangela (Cusano) Ficocelli. Maria is survived by her grandchildren: Saverio Ficocelli and wife Maribel of Northridge, CA; Maria (Ficocelli) and husband Salvatore La Rosa of Wethersfield; Rita (Ficocelli) and husband Andrew Shack of Oak Park, IL and her great-grandchildren: Daniela (La Rosa) and her husband Mike Karanda, Sebastiano La Rosa, Antonio La Rosa, Natalie Ficocelli, Mattheus and Zachariah Shack.

Our grandmother, Maria immigrated to Hartford, in 1968, from Sepino, by herself, our grandfather, Saverio joined her a year later. She was a strong-minded, hard working woman, who stopped at nothing to get what she set her mind to. She designed and made all her own clothes and if she did buy something, more than likely she would take it apart and restyle it to her liking. Along her full time job at the Aetna cafeteria, where she retired from, she also worked as a seamstress and cleaning lady. Our grandmother and grandfather, both, worked 3 jobs, for 5 years, in order to purchase a 3 family house in Hartford, so they could accommodate their family. As soon as she acquired her US citizenship, the rest of the family immigrated here in 1974. Maria was a long time communicant of Saint Augustine Church in Hartford, and devotee to both Santa Cristina, the patron saint of her hometown Sepino, where she was born and raised and the Madonna of Montevergine in Avellino. We the grandchildren and great-children, are very thankful for all the sacrifices our Grandmother/Great-grandmother made in order for us all to have a better life.

Maria La Rosa (granddaughter), would like to personally thank the following people/organizations: To ALL the wonderful staff at Maple View Manor in Rocky Hill, especially, Adrienne, Dainty and Fatima (nurses); Elizabeth (aid) who she was very close to; Emilia (religious services); Constellation Hospice, for the compassionate and loving care you all provided to her. To Dr. Santo Buccheri, her long time family physician, for NOT only providing the most optimal medical care, but for his empathy, patience and understanding. To Lucia (volunteer) for visiting and spending time with Maria a few days a week. She enjoyed your company very much. To the Amenta, Kerr, and Patulak families, my brother Saverio and Sister Rita and my friends and coworkers, thank you all for the love and support you provided to me. A big THANK YOU, to my family: my husband, Salvatore and my children Daniela, Mike (son-in-law), Sebastiano and Antonio for all the support and assistance you provided to me, these last few years. I would not have been able to do all I did without your assistance.

A calling hour will be held on Tuesday, February 19th from 9-10 a.m. at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd, Wethersfield. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m. at Saint Augustine Church, 10 Campfield Avenue, Hartford. Burial will be at Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield.

For online expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopofuneralchapel.com.