Maria Villani

1928 - 2023

Beloved Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother Maria Villani (nee De Santis) peacefully entered God's kingdom on January 14, 2023 at the age of 94 at home, Brooklyn, New York, with her loving children by her side. She was born in Cansano, L'Aquila, Italy on May 18, 1928. At the age of 9 she lost her mother to sickness; and she was raised by an aunt. With a 6th grade education, she mastered financing, psychiatry, cooking, sewing and gardening. She was a devoted friend, mom, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt. At age 19 she came to America. She lived with her brother Agostino, his wife Adelia and their daughters. She worked as a seamstress, and thru hard work earned enough money at the age of 24 to return to Italy to marry her sweetheart, Nicola. Immediately afterwards she returned to America to file her official papers for U.S. Citizenship. Her husband joined her in America, 3 months later; they never looked back. Proud to be an American citizen, she loved her family, her home and the United States of America. She loved hearing "God Bless America' being played. Beloved wife of the late Nicola Villani. Cherished mother of Filomena & Giuseppe Leone, Nick and Terri Villani and Joanna and Hank Davis. Fond Sister of the late Agostino De Santis and Ercole De Santis. Loving grandmother of Michael J. Leone, Nicholas Leone, Anna Bellantuono, Nicola LaMota, Lauren Villani, Nicholas Villani, Daniella Clemente and Gabrielle Kokich and loving great-grandmother of ten children. Her nieces and nephews were loved dearly. Visiting Thursday, January 19, 2023 from 3-8 pm, Torregrossa Funeral Home, 1305 - 79th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11219. Mass of Christian burial Friday, January 20, 2023 at 9:30 a.m. at the Basilica of Regina Pacis, 1230 - 65th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11219. Entombment to follow at St. Charles Cemetery, 2015 Wellwood Avenue, Farmingdale, NY 11735.