Diva Lucchesi Maisto

Diva Lucchesi Maisto, a native of Limano, a mountain top village perched in Tuscany, Italy, peacefully passed away on January 16, 2025. Diva was born on December 5, 1926, and she lived a life filled with hard work, determination, and dedication throughout her 98 years.

In her early years in Italy, Diva attended a pattern finishing school, where she discovered a lifelong passion that eventually shaped her career. As a teenager, she lived through the challenges of World War II, witnessing the Nazi invasion of her town and the occupation of her family home. This difficult time forced her to leave her beloved hometown of Limano in Tuscany. At 19, she embarked on a brave journey to the United States, arriving through Ellis Island. She settled in Atlanta, Georgia, where she began learning English and building a new life.

As a new, U.S. Citizen, Diva carried her love for fashion with Davison’s department store giving her the opportunity to tailor custom works for the likes of author Margret Mitchell. In time, she attended a military ball and met her life’s love, Angelo Vincent Maisto. Ultimately, they later married and celebrated 70 years of marriage.

After relocating to Brooklyn, New York, Diva continued her sewing career with Abraham & Strauss department store later acquired by Macy’s. She worked tirelessly in the craft she loved and thrived with socializing and making lifelong friends from the epicenter of the city’s famed Italian borough.

Diva ultimately retired, and she and Angelo re-located from the city to Athens, Georgia to be closer to their two grandchildren. She was dutiful in her Catholic faith beginning each day with morning prayers. Diva continued her sunset career doing private alterations from home showcasing her mastered skills with local clients. Diva’s greatest strength was her hard-working ethic. In addition to her talents with a sewing needle, Diva was a highly skilled cook and baker in the kitchen. She found joy by delighting others with the flavors of her Italian roots. 

In continual efforts to gather her heritage and create community, Diva always sought out anyone in Athens who held an Italian ethnicity or revered her motherland. No visitor left hungry or empty handed, and at the least, you were religiously offered espresso and cookies to start a visit. Her passion for hospitality and feeding others was obvious as the next meal or gathering was always planned before the current one could end.

Outside of the kitchen and away from a sewing machine, Diva and Angelo traveled the world exploring tropical resorts and both new and old-world destinations over decades of excursions. They shared these experiences with each other, family, and lifelong friends.

Diva Lucchesi Maisto will be remembered for her enduring love for fashion, her master tailoring trade, her dedication to her family, and her overall Italian zest for life. She was an only child, predeceased by both parents Valentine and Ida Lucchesi. She is survived by her loving daughter, Marisa Maisto Grant (Jake), his grandchildren, Jake Jr. and Andrew (Elise), and great granddaughter, Olivia.

Diva’s life will be celebrated with family at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on Monday, January 20, 2025 at 9:00 A.M. The family will receive friends from 3:00 P.M. until 5:00 P.M. at the funeral home on Sunday, January 19, 2025. In lieu of flowers, donation may be made to the Diva Maisto Scholarship Fund: St. Joseph Catholic Parish School, 958 Epps Bridge Parkway, Athens, GA 30606 https://stjosephcatholicschool-f-f.factsmgtadmin.com/give/

Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, WEST, Watkinsville, GA is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com