Maria Fabrizi, lovingly known as Momma to her children and Nonna to so many, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 13, 2026, at the age of 89, surrounded by her loving family.
Born in Anagni, Frosinone, Italy, to Ciara and Angelo Lanzi, Maria was raised with a deep appreciation for family, faith, and tradition; values that remained at the center of her life.
In 1962, at the age of 25, Maria came to the United States and began a new chapter with her beloved husband, Nello, the love of her life. They shared 46 years of marriage before his passing in 2008 and together built a warm and loving home filled with laughter, family, and tradition; a home that became the center of their lives and the setting for so many cherished memories.
Above all, Maria was devoted to her family. Her four children were the center of her world, and she gave them a lifetime of love, strength, comfort, and unwavering support. As the family grew, so did her joy. Her eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren brought her tremendous pride and happiness, and nothing meant more to her than having those she loved close.
Maria’s kitchen was truly the heart of her home. She took great pride in preparing Italian dishes she knew by heart and found great joy in gathering family and friends around her table. There was always something cooking, always conversation and laughter, and always room for one more. Through those meals, she created not only traditions but a lasting sense of home, warmth, and togetherness.
She was strong, spirited, generous, and wonderfully honest. Maria had a presence all her own and faced life’s many challenges with remarkable resilience and determination. At her core was a deeply loving heart, and those closest to her always knew they could depend on her.
Her faith was an important and comforting part of her life, especially her devotion to St. Padre Pio. Whenever she returned to Italy, her visits to San Giovanni Rotondo held special meaning, bringing together her faith and her love for the country she always carried close to her heart.
Maria leaves behind her beloved children, Joseph, Nello, Vincent, and Judith; her daughters-in-law, Linda and Annette; and her son-in-law, Frank, whom she loved and considered a son. She also leaves behind her cherished grandchildren, Nello, Teresa, Tina, Frank Joseph, Isabella, Eliana, Nicholas, and Vincent, as well as her precious great-grandchildren, Celeste and Nicholas.
Her family will miss her voice, her laughter, her honesty, her strength, and her unmistakable spirit. Most of all, they will miss the comfort that came simply from knowing she was there.
Momma, you were the heart of our family. The love you gave us, the traditions you created, and the memories you leave behind will remain with us always. We will carry you with us forever; in our homes, in our hearts, and in the family you loved so deeply.
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