D'Amato (Boccia), Maria Cristina - Age 87 of Malden formerly of Cambridge and Abruzzo, Italy, passed away peacefully on February 13, 2023, at home, surrounded by loving family. She was the beloved wife of 67 years to Pasquale D' Amato, devoted mother of three children and their spouses, adoring grandmother to one grandchild and their spouse and one great-grandchild.
Maria was predeceased by her parents, Carmine and Filomena (Ventresca) Boccia, her in-laws, Domenico and Maria (DiPietro) D'Amato, and her sister-in-law, Anna (D'Amato) Bettinelli. She is also predeceased by 4 brothers and their wives, Vincenzo and Maria; Gennaro and Antonina; Vittorio and Maria, Quinto and Katalin (Katie) living in Italy; a half-brother and his wife, Cesidio and Pasqua; and a half sister, Filomena living in France. She is survived by many nieces and nephews including a very special nephew and niece, Angelo and Daniela Boccia. She is also survived by many loving cousins and numerous friends.
Maria was born on a hillside hamlet in the Gizio mountain range in the Kingdom of ltaly. Her mother died during WWII, when Maria was only 5 years old. Maria experienced many unspeakable hardships and deprivations during this time. She was very close to her father and siblings. The women of the hamlet instructed her on sewing, lacing, embroidery, crocheting, knitting, and darning. These women taught her through Italian proverbs how to conduct herself and offered words of wisdom and advice as she grew. Her father taught her the bible and how to pray. Maria developed a deep Catholic spirituality that was an integral part of her life and a faith in God that was unwavering. Growing up without a mother, her father was the center of her world. He instilled values, integrity, insight, and understanding which would guide her through her life and she passed these on to her children.
When Maria was a teenager, she became a companion to an elderly couple in the next hamlet whose daughters had all moved to the Americas. While there, she learned and acquired many skills on their farm. Maria cooked, baked, cleaned, plowed the fields, seeded, sowed, harvested, milked the cows, fed the animals, maintained the barn, made cheese and olive oil, cured meats, preserved, made homemade pasta/sauce/bread, learned to use a sewing machine, and baby-sat villagers' children while their parents tended the fields .
Maria had a joy of nature especially plants and flowers. She brought life, happiness, and comfort to this aging neglected couple. In time, she would meet and marry one of their grandchildren and sailed with just one small suitcase, alone, to America on the ship, Independence. She immigrated and became a Naturalized Citizen, of which she was very proud. Maria lived in the West End of Boston with her in-laws until her husband returned from his studies in ltaly and they began their life together.
Soon the family moved to Cambridge, where Maria lived for close to 50 years. There she made a home for her 3 children. Maria developed a strong love of family. She instilled values of love devotion of family, work, respect, compassion, curiosity, courage, generosity, kindness, loyalty, genuineness, and forgiveness. She sent her children to Catholic school as she believed in a faith-based education. She encouraged her children to gain as much education as they could. Maria was an enormous source of strength and support to her children. She was proud of each of their accomplishments and successes. Maria's granddaughter was her "little treasure" (il Tesoro di nonni), whom she affectionately and adoringly loved and of whom she was immensely proud. Above all else in Maria's life, she loved and was committed to her family and God and always placed them first - proving to be a true exemplar of the Catholic faith. Maria was devoted to attending Sacred Heart Church in Watertown. She took care of the Blessed Mother statue in front of the church and participated in coffee/donut socials after Sunday mass. Maria accompanied her son-in-law to mass in Malden and the religious education classes he taught on Sundays. She was always lending a helping hand to those in need and always had a kind word to say about everyone. Maria was the essence of all that is good. "Una donna reale'.
Wherever Maria went, her joyful attitude and friendly nature would immediately gain her many friends who loved her dearly. Maria prepared many a loving meal in her home whether daily, for holidays, or special occasions. She extended herself to others by cooking for them in their time of need, illness, or loss. Maria believed women could accomplish anything they set their mind to, she was organic before it became popular, and courage was her strength. Prior to retiring, Maria was a skilled seamstress and worked for Murray White in the South End of Boston and later Forecaster in the North End of Boston. Maria was a member of The International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union (ILGWU). Her laughter, sense of humor, singing, dancing, and positive attitude were infectious. She loved to travel and visited Italy, Canada, NH, Maine, RI, Washington DC, Colonial Williamsburg, Florida, and Cape Cod. She loved scratching tickets with Delfina and coffee pastry time with family and friends. She was incredibly social and loved to be with people. Her favorite song was "Love ls a Many Splendored Thing" and her favorite singer was Mario Lanza
Our family has lost a shining light, a star in the night sky, "una grande donna". Maria was "Forte e gentile" (strong and gentle), a popular adage in Abruzzo. "She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate." Proverbs 31:10-31.
A funeral will be celebrated in Sacred Hearts Church, 297 Main Street, Malden, on Tuesday, February 21st at 10 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. The family requests all church attendees wear masks. Funeral services will conclude with entombment at Mt Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge, MA. Due to Covid, there will be no collations.