Maria Ramona Hart

Maria Ramona Hart (1963-2025), a loving and spirited human being, and lifelong advocate for progressive social justice, passed away on June 25th after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born and raised in Staten Island, New York, Maria was the eldest of the four daughters of Carolyn Hart, a homemaker and teacher, and George Hart, an attorney and community leader. Educated at Notre Dame Academy High School, Maria was driven by a strong sense of cultural curiosity.

Maria earned a B.A. at Sarah Lawrence College, then obtained a Master's Degree in Anthropology at the City University of New York (CUNY) Graduate Center. Maria learned to speak Spanish and Italian, and adventured to faraway places including Mexico, Italy, and Cyprus; learning about the world, excavating ancient artifacts, seeking knowledge, reuniting with distant family, and making friends.

Maria's passions led her to Chiapas, Mexico, where she lived and carried out anthropological fieldwork, attending Zapatista marches, rallies, and protest events that were largely focused upon what is known as "Catholic liberation theology." The crowning academic achievement of Maria's life was the completion and publication of her dissertation two decades later, which she successfully defended, and which led to her attaining her Ph.D. in Cultural Anthropology from the CUNY Graduate Center. Her dissertation analyzed the Zapatista struggle for liberation of the poor and oppressed through social and political change.

Maria shared her scholastic knowledge by working as an adjunct professor in the CUNY system. There she taught generations of immigrant students, many of whom were the first members of their families to attend college. Due to her skills, sincerity and love of teaching, she earned glowing student reviews throughout her lengthy academic career.

Maria's love for travel also remained a constant in her life. In addition to return trips to Mexico to conduct ongoing research and to build upon personal connections she had made during her studies, she enjoyed recent trips to her beloved Brooklyn, New York, and to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket with her sisters, as well as multiple vacations with the Winocour family in Maine.

At heart, though, Maria was a loving and devoted mother to her two beloved sons. Up until recently returning to Maria's side, Benjamin Winocour, 22, had been traveling solo by bicycle for months, riding from the British Isles across the Continent; Ben will soon be returning to Europe to continue his quest, following in his mother's adventurous footsteps. Meanwhile, Leonardo Winocour,18, has already been building a business of his own, and will begin college at Quinnipiac University this Fall.

Maria is survived by her husband, Gabe Winocour; her two dear sons, Ben and Leo; her sisters, CaraMia Hart, Elena Hart-Cohen, and Veronica Hart; parents-in-law, Janet and Michael Winocour; brothers-in-law including Jason Winocour; and nieces and nephews. Also special to Maria was her cousin-in-law Miriam Winocour, with whom she often stayed in Manhattan, as well as her aunts, uncles, and cousins who mostly originated from Staten Island.

Maria confronted her illnesses with incredible strength and amazing grace. Her devotion to her family was reciprocated, as Gabe personally cared for her full-time at home for a year, and Ben and Leo steadfastly remained by her bedside into the final days and nights of her life.

Maria will be deeply missed by all those who knew her and loved her, and she will never be forgotten. She left her own unique mark on innumerable others who she always tried to help.

A Celebration of Maria's Life will be held on July 19th at 12 Noon at the Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea, located at 85 Atlantic Avenue, in Marblehead, Massachusetts.

Maria's final resting place will be at Moravian Cemetery in Staten Island, where she will be interred next to her maternal grandparents and beside her beloved parents.

As the service is happening at this later time, we welcome your prayers and thoughts, but no flowers (or trees) are necessary.