Marie A. ( Comella ) Luongo, 91, of Douglas Pike, Smithfield, died Saturday, February 6, 2021 at her home, with her loving family by her side. She was the widow of David Leo Luongo who passed away in 1991.
Born in Providence growing up on Federal Hill, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Loretta (Gravina) Comella. She had lived in Smithfield for over 60 years.
Marie is survived by her children: Donna M. Luongo and Denise J. Botelho and her granddaughters who she raised Alicia A Luongo and Sabrina D Malfettano. She was the mother of the late Eleanor A. Malfettano. She is also survived by a brother, Anthony Comella and a sister, Josephine Zemar. She was the sister of the late Lucia Improta and late Ann Natalizia.
Marie was the ultimate caregiver who would do anything for her family, she looked after her younger siblings being the eldest , she was at her husbands bedside when he fell ill , raised her three daughters and her only two granddaughters as her own . She was proud of her Italian roots and was known to make fabulous Sunday dinners with her homemade “ gravy “ , homemade pizza , and desserts . She loved teaching her daughters and granddaughters sayings in Italian and Sicilian . She was known to be a silly goose at times and would make up names for everyone and also would sing in Italian to her canine best friend Jazzy Matazzi . She loved the old greats of Nat King Cole , Perry Como , Dean Martin , and Sergio Frachi . She was a devote Catholic who never missed saying her rosary, those infamous rosary beads will be laid to rest with her so she can bring them on her way to heaven , we know she wouldn’t want it any other way .
Special thank you to Olivia Joly who Marie thought of as her own daughter and who was also by her side these last months giving her tender loving care.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday at 9:30 am in St. Michael’s Church, 80 Farnum Pike, Smithfield. Due to COVID restrictions seating is limited and masks and social distancing is required. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Marie’s favorite charity St Jude's Research Hospital, PO Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101-0050
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
To watch the livestream of Marie's funeral mass please visit St. Michael's Church, YouTube channel