Maria Aiuto

Maria with the pretty blue eyes. Maria was called home to her Lord on Holy Thursday, April 17, 2025 at the age of 93. She was born on June 17, 1931 in Detroit, Michigan, to Joseph and Francesca LaTorre, joining her brother, Victor. During her teen years, Maria looked forward to driving a car. When she was 16, that dream became a reality. During her life she prided herself on not having any driving tickets. Upon turning 18, she took a job at AAA mapping out road routes for clients driving to their vacation destinations; this was a job she truly loved. Shortly after, while at a family picnic, she met the love of her life, Tony Aiuto. She was not allowed to date him unless her mother and father chaperoned. While they were dating, tragedy struck her family. Her brother, Victor, died in a plane crash while serving in the Reserves. This would be the first tragedy Maria learned to cope with; and this postponed their wedding shortly. Maria and Tony would persevere through the loss, and they wed on April 19, 1952. They were blessed with 5 children; Victor, Steven, Carol, Michael, and Vincent. As life goes, Maria's life was filled with highs and lows. Some of those lows happened when Tony got laid off. However, Maria always had an optimistic and enduring attitude, allowing her make things come together in any situation. She was able to make clothing for her children, acquire hand-me-down clothing, and made all home-made food with her mother who was also living with her. Making the most of every situation, Maria was able to take her family on vacation, and she made homemade suitcases out of beer boxes that she painted. She used these time to teach her children valuable lessons, such as the importance of saving money.
In 1967, tragedy struck again when she gave birth to her 6th child, but she died only minutes after birth. Maria greatly mourned the loss of this child, but her positive attitude about life found her getting a job at Winkelmans, a women's clothing store. While she did not like this job, she worked it until she could find something she could enjoy more. She applied at Warren Consolidated Schools and got a job as a secretary in the Special Services Department. Her co-workers and boss loved her so much that they visited her often up to the months before she died. They loved how kind, considerate, compassionate, and polite she was. Her beautiful penmanship was often complemented by her co-workers. Tragedy struck again in 1980 when Maria's son, Steven, died from leukemia. With the help of her family and co-workers and her positive outlook, Maria counted her blessings and endured even this. Later in her life, she often spoke about an unresolved pain in her heart of not knowing where her 6th child was buried. The mystery was solved in 2024, but she never found out because of her late dementia. Her deceased baby's body was donated to Wayne State University School of Medicine for eye research. She would have been so happy to know this. Maria was blessed with 9 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Maria will be greatly missed. What we have all learned from Maria, with the beautiful blue eyes, is that you don't give up in life; be optimistic that after a tragedy, more goodness is still to come your way; and be kind and selfless to the people you meet. May you receive many heavenly blessings, Maria, on your journey home.
Maria is the cherished wife of 69 years of the late Anthony, who preceded her in death it 2021; the loving mother of Victor (Gayle) Aiuto, Carol (Dominic) Zombo, Michael (Marci) Aiuto, Vincent (Deborah) Aiuto, and the late Steven Aiuto; the dear grandmother of Kristie (Jay) Dierig, Jeffry (Heather) Aiuto, Natalie (Ben) Zombo-Dubrul, Stephanie (Philip) Bommarito, Salvatore (Allison) Zombo, Steven (Deidre) Aiuto, Jessica (Dave) Wentworth, Alyssa (Steven) Nowicki, and Vanessa Aiuto; the adored great-grandmother of 21.
Mass will be held for Maria on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at St. Anastasia Catholic Church, 4571 John R Rd, Troy, instate from 9:00 a.m. until the time of her mass at 10:00 a.m. Entombment at Resurrection Cemetery, Clinton Township. Please share a story or leave a tribute for Maria's family at www.SullivanFuneralDirectors.com