Maria Conte

1916 - 08

Maria Lucia Conte, 98, of Connellsville, passed peacefully into God's hands Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014. She was born Aug. 26, 1916, in Nusco, Italy, a daughter of the late Michael and Michele Pnapnillo Stellante. She was a member of St. Rita Roman Catholic Church and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. She worked hard all her life, from delivering bread her family made in Italy with her favorite donkey, Rosie, to taking care of her husband when his health failed, and her brother and anyone who needed food or someone to send prayers to our Lord for special favors. If anyone had a direct line to heaven, it was Maria. She never quit, no matter how tired she was, or how ill she was, she still managed to bake almost every day, cook, and even this fall she and her granddaughter, Rita, canned tomatoes and beets. She always had a story to tell and said, "When you live as many years as I have, you have so many memories to share." She is survived by her stepson, Anthony R. Conte; several nieces, nephews and grandchildren, including granddaughter, Rita (Conte) and her husband, Keith Warchol; great-granddaughter, Toni Merchant; and great-great-grandson, Noah Berlinger. She was predeceased by her husband, Alfonso Conte; her brothers, Amato and Joseph Stellante; a sister, Raphael DiPoli; stepson, Michael Conte; stepdaughters, Theresa Conte and Mary Lou Conte Gillette. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014, and 2 to 5 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014, in the RICHARD KUCERA FUNERAL HOME, 127 East Fairview Ave., Connellsville, where prayers of transver will be held at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 17, 2014. Funeral Mass will follow at 10 a.m. in St. Rita Roman Catholic Church, with Father Robert Lubic as celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Rita Cemetery. St. Rita Christian Mother Ritual will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home.