Obituary of Maria Laura Maggi

Maggi, Maria "Laura" ( nee Donenghi) age 97, passed away peacefully in her sleep surrounded by family on Oct. 18, 2022. Born in the municipality of Deiva Marina in the province of La Spezia, Italy on September 19, 1925. She was married to Angelo Carlo Maggi for 65 years prior to his passing on May 18, 2018. They have a daughter, Carla Parisi, son in law, Kenneth Parisi, three grandsons: Justin, (married to Sara) Christopher and Kenneth. Laura, as she always wanted to be called, also had three great grandchildren: Jasper, Tabitha and Flora. Laura was predeceased by her two brothers: Renato and Donato "Carlo" and her grandson Kenneth. Laura arrived in the United States in 1947 on a repurposed WW 2 military vessel called the Marine Shark. She always said that once the ship crossed through the Strait of Gibraltar, the voyage was treacherous and she was so seasick that she wished she could turn back. She met her father in New York City and established a life for herself in Paterson, NJ. She worked as a Seamstress in a sewing factory on Ryle Avenue, Paterson then eventually opened up a grocery store with her father on Crosby Avenue, which she ran with her husband Carlo for almost fifty years. She was recognized by many wherever she went because of her red hair and signature hairstyle. She will always be remembered as a friendly and kind person, always willing to help and give advice to many of the Italian community that would come to the store not only to purchase groceries and homemade specialties, but also to socialize and share news of their families and the country they left behind. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a funeral service at the Festa Memorial Funeral Home, 111 Union Blvd., Totowa on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022 at 11:00 AM. Interment to follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Totowa. Friends may visit on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations to the North Shore Animal League, 25 Davis Avenue, Port Washington, NY 11050 would be appreciated.