Maria D'Amato

1919 - 2021

Maria D'Amato, just shy of her 102nd birthday, passed peacefully at home, grandchildren beside her on November 5, 2021. She was an icon of youth & independence. Born in Vinchiaturo, Italy in 1919, Maria eagerly helped her parents, Giovanni and Rosa, farm at only 10 yrs old. By 12, she made pasta by hand. At 21, she married Giovanni (John) D'Amato. She moved to her in-laws' farm, but continued to walk two hours with her two sons, Michael (1941-2020) and Frank (1946-2010), in tow to visit her parents. Her brother-in-law, she called, Anton recounts what a strong lady she was, "Mary would carry a container with 10 gallons of milk on her head and she'd put me on her shoulders and walk into our town to sell it." From 1940-1954 Mary was separated from her husband because he served in the army, was imprisoned, and later worked in Venezuela, with her brother Benny, before John came to the United States. When she was 35, Mary took a life changing voyage. Her brother Nicola remained in Italy. Her & her sons traveled 10 days to join John in NY. July 1954 was their reunion. The family settled in Grant City, SI where she resided for another 67 yrs. Mary was a renowned homemaker & seamstress for Metro Borack Clothing. After her sons married, this Renaissance woman traveled to Manhattan to work as an office cleaner for Morgan Guaranty Trust Co. She would keep an immaculate house & a magnificent garden by day. (The couple was infamous for their vegetables, fruit trees, and glorious flowers. They would share their harvest,including the wine they made in their cellar from their grapes.) Evenings she took the train & ferry to the bank returning home at midnight. Mary & John found time to host holidays at their home with the grandest feasts. If you missed dinner, there were baked desserts waiting, cheesecake, grain pie, biscotti and spinga. Together Mary & John worked, walked, and worshipped. They were a constant presence at St. Christopher's Church. She was a member of the Legion of Mary. Weekly she'd walk to pray the Novena. Members of the 300 Club and the San Bernardino Society. Mary retired from JP Morgan Chase Bank in 1986. "Nonna" continued their pillars of life (3 Ws) after Papa John passed in 2008. Healthy & spry she was seen walking from 711 with a gallon of milk in her mid90s. She kept washing her floors in heels. Bishop O'Hara blessed her at 96 when she confirmed Leyla. Soon she didn't leave her home alone, she still went "out" for hours tending to her tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, lettuce, Swiss chard, squash and proudly lifted and displayed her pumpkins! She cooked & jarred tomatoes herself without machinery until she was 98. Nov 23, 2019 was proclaimed "Maria D'Amato Day" by BP Oddo & CM Matteo during a Mass marking her Centennial Birthday. Relatives & friends, near & far, gathered to celebrate her milestone. She, our magnet, brought us together some hadn't seen each other in years or hadn't met. At 100 Nonna urged us to make bouquets for her beloved husband & children in the cemetery & visited graves. Mary had Homecare aides, but she'd become energetic after they left, fending for herself. At 100, neighbors would see her bring out her garbage. Amazingly she reached 101 during the pandemic. A month later she survived having Covid19 at home. Up and down her steps she still went. During her 101st year she'd water & weed when able. As harvest approached she was happy as a child about the garden Erkin planted. Every tomato or fig we brought her she'd offer to share & then savor it. Mary loved her visitors, asked them to "keep her company" or "stop by the house" She cherished her great grandchildren Emily, Leyla, Daniel & Isabella. She is survived by sisterinlaws, a brotherinlaw, nieces, nephews and grandchildren Michael, Lisa, and Christine D'Amato(fiance Tony). Francine (Erkin) Hatipoglu. Visitation is from Caseys Tomorrow 3-7pm. Funeral is Wed 10:30 St.Christopher's. Donations may be made to St. Christopher's School or Church in her memory.