Corradina Maria Tironi

1936 - 2022

Corradina Maria Tironi went home to be with her Lord, husband and family. She passed away quietly and lovingly surrounded by her family in Chesterfield, Virginia. Corradina, or as she was also affectionately known as "Momma," "Momma T," "Roni" or "Cora," was born on April 18, 1936, to the late Ernesto and Teresa Giannini Magherini in Barberino de Muegello and grew up in Galliano outside of Florence, Italy.

She came to Charlottesville in 1956 and lived with her sister Elia (Liana) who was a war bride to Walter Crawford. They have both preceded her in death.

It was here in Charlottesville that she met the love of her life Edoardo Tironi who she affectionately called "Doardo." He had come to Charlottesville from Fonzaso, Italy with his sister Bruna Clements who too was a war bride to Clarence "Cott" Clements. They have all preceded her in death.

Momma and Diddie were a true love story. They both came halfway around the world to meet in Charlottesville and were together for 62 years until his death. Diddie was a most devoted and loving husband, always putting her love and care first. Momma was always putting her "Doardo" first, cooking incredible meals for him, her family and always making us all feel happy love. Theirs was a life of love and devotion.

Momma was known for her infectious smile. You couldn't look at her without smiling. She was an incredible cook and you would never come to see her without being fed before you left. She made sure of that. She would even send food home with you. She fed many a UVA student with her huge, incredibly tasty sandwiches. The spaghetti dinners that she often cooked for those she worked with in the early days at Stromburg Carlson and at church or just for a big group of friends are all memorable. It was the best time and best spaghetti ever.

She also loved to work in her yard which is still filled with magnificent azaleas, rhododendrons, gardenias, camellias and so many mature and flowering trees all planted by her while "Doardo" was tending his amazingly lush garden. You name it, he grew it and then she prepared and cooked them for us.

She also loved camping. Many memories were made at Loft Mountain, Big Meadows, and up and down the Blue Ridge Parkway with her "Doardo," Lianna, Walter, Bruna, Cott, her children, nieces, nephews, and friends.

One day after her children were both in school, she applied for a job at Stromburg Carlson and was hired on the spot. Only thing was now she had to tell her "Doardo." At first, he wasn't really happy about her working. He knew it would mean changes but after only a couple of hours of working in his garden he decided it would make her happy and that was the most important thing to him all his life. So, she went to work at Stromburg Carlson in 1968.

It was here that she became involved in their activity club and made many friends throughout those many years. The love for her lifelong friends, Pearl, Anna, Shirley, Shelby and Doris is still as strong as ever.

Friends who continued to be there for her to this day, especially her Pearl. She worked there through the general dynamic and comdial changes, retiring in 1998. Then she became a full-time caregiver for 3 1/2 years for Bruna until her death.

For many years she was always volunteering with Holy Comforter and Church of the Incarnation before her illness took that away from her. She loved her God, family, church and especially Father Gregory. Momma and Ed would go to the Saturday evening mass and then visit their favorite Riverside North Restaurant every week for years.

Momma was very active in her daughters' lives too. Always available to chauffeur friends to school activities and sporting events. She was at lots of track meets, gymnastic events, basketball games and even her daughter's boyfriend's baseball games. Always encouraging not just her daughters but all the children that knew her. She never met a child she didn't love, and there wasn't a child who met Momma that didn't love her instantly. She is so loved and already greatly missed!

She is survived by her daughter Anna Maria Wood whose husband, William Warner Wood, whom Momma loved like a son, has preceded her in death.

She is also survived by daughter, Emma Cummings, her husband, Michael; and grandson, Michael Cummings Jr. and his wife, McKenna.

Michael Jr. was truly blessed to have a grandmother like Momma. Her love for him was infinite and so was the joy he brought to her. He was the light of her life and continued to be by her side until her death. He already misses his grandmother deeply and will cherish all his memories with her.

She is also survived by her niece, Gloria (George) Wood; great-nephew, Steven Gregory Wood; great-niece, Angela (Shawn) Wills; great great-niece, Katlyn Wills; nephew, Michael (Lisa) Crawford of Charlottesville; great-niece, Jessica (Neil) Knicely; and great great-nephew, Wyatt, all of Staunton.

Survivors include nephew, Felix Crawford of Charlottesville; niece Franca (Ezio) Sarti; great-niece, Fabiola Sarti; great-nephew, Claudio Sarti; great great-nephew, Tommaso Sarti and his mother Elisa; and great-niece, Sara Bencini and her mother, Emanuela Pancin,i all from Florence, Italy.

Sara's father, Mamma's nephew, Franco Bencini who always made her laugh and she loved dearly predeceased her. Also preceding her in death were a sister, Lina Bencini, her husband Eugenio and an infant brother, all of Florence, Italy.

A special "Thank You" to Dr. Gehman, Joy, Heidi, Patti, Greg, Joseph and Tanya for all your help taking care of Momma and helping us to be able to keep her home with us. Also, special thanks to the wonderful staff at Rosewood Village who cared for Momma for several months.

A viewing will be held at Hill and Wood, Charlottesville for Friday, November 18, 2022, from 6 until 8 p.m. with a graveside service at Holly Memorial on Saturday, November 19, 2022, at 1 p.m.

Condolences can be sent to the family at HillandWood.com.