Obituary of Maria D'Elia

Maria (Sciandra) D’Elia, 94, passed away passed peacefully on September 20, 2024, after a long and fulfilling life. She made the transition with her son by her side and among the many caregivers and residents of Seaview Hospital and Home with whom she spent the last few years and whom she considered family.

Maria, or ‘Mary,’ or ‘Marie,’ as she was commonly known, was born February 1, 1930 to Angelo and Giovanna (Jenny) Sciandra in the “Little Italy” section of the Lower East Side of Manhattan where she lived with her parents, brothers Joseph and John, and with many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends nearby until moving with her family to the Sunnyside area of Staten Island prior to the opening of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.

She worked as a seamstress, alongside her mother, at several companies in Manhattans’ garment district one of which specialized in fine men’s suits and often told the story of meeting Caesar Romero for whom the company made suits and on which she sewed pockets and did other intricate finishing.

Maria married Anthony (Tony) in 1958 after being introduced by a co-worker who would become her sister-in-law. During their 35 years of marriage, they had one child: Anthony.

Maria became a full-time homemaker shortly after marrying and made homes in Randall Manor and Tompkinsville before settling in Castleton Corners in 1969. Maria was a parishioner at St. Teresa’s Church and active in the PS 29 PTA and later in the Msgr. Farrell Bank Parents Association. She enjoyed gardening, keeping a meticulous home, cooking, entertaining, socializing and dancing. She greatly enjoyed spending time with her friends and family, especially holidays, summer BBQs and birthday parties. She often regaled her family with stories of her childhood growing up in Manhattan, going to the movies with her mother for 25 cents, not being allowed to see heartthrob Frank Sinatra in concert and her close relationship with Santa Claus!

She was renowned for her baking, often straying from recipes and making them better, and for her cooking, especially her Sunday gravy, meatballs, brasciole and chicken cutlets. She had the knack for making the simplest dishes gourmet-level delicious with a healthy dose of love.

Maria was predeceased by her husband, parents, brothers, brothers and sisters-in-law and others, all of whom she cherished and missed dearly and thought, and spoke of, often.

She is survived by her son Anthony and his wife Theresa, their children (of which she was immensely proud and loving) Rebecca, Hannah, Anthony V. and Joseph D’Addesa, nephews and nieces John, Angelo, Janet, Joseph, Theresa, Marie, Gary, Andrea, their significant others and numerous grand and great grand nieces and nephews, not to mention her many friends and neighbors and their children, whom she cared for and doted on as if they were her own. She was ‘mom, ‘and ‘gramma’ to all.

Maria was an exemplary mother and human being. She embodied the best of qualities: unconditional love, strength of spirit and faith, discipline, dignity, humility, good humor, wisdom and unending generosity. Proud to be an American and proud of her Sicilian heritage she was fiercely independent and full of spit and vinegar to the end.

She will be remembered fondly for all the heart she shared with her friends and family, including her Seaview resident neighbors. She truly loved all. When her time came, she carried herself with dignity, strength and full of love. She will be missed dearly.

A special thank you to the entire staff at Seaview Hospital and Home who showed great skill, love, caring, understanding and patience during her residency.

The funeral service and visitation will be at Matthew Funeral home on Thursday, September 26, 2024, from 9-11 am, with interment to follow at St. Peter’s cemetery.