Maria Cavallo

Maria Cavallo, 93, of Brooklyn, NY, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family on Friday, November 18, 2022. Maria was born in Vizzini, Sicily, on July 4, 1929. She was the daughter of the late Giuseppe and Sebastiana Ventura, and the eldest sister of Aldo Ventura, Josephine LiRosi, and Jenny LiRosi. Maria married the love of her life, Vincenzo Cavallo, on April 25, 1947. The couple later emigrated to America in 1949 to start their family. Her husband having been born in the United States, Maria and Vincenzo were able to sponsor her immediate family for emigration to America, post-war, helping to pave their way toward achieving the American dream. A woman ahead of her time, Maria would work five days a week as a seamstress while at the same time juggling her duties as a wife, mother and homemaker in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. As a child, Maria worked in her parents' general store while helping to raise her siblings during hard economic times in Sicily. As an adult, she cherished hosting her entire extended family for holidays, celebrations, and Sunday dinners. She would spend many hours cooking delicious meals from scratch. Many Christmases, Thanksgivings, New Years, and Easters were celebrated at her home with her extended family who still recall wonderful memories of the lively and joyous times spent there. Whenever she could, Maria loved traveling with her husband and family to the Catskill Mountains, Canada, St. Maarten, New Mexico, Florida and vacation destinations along the East Coast. The highlight of her travels was when she returned to her hometown in Sicily for the first time, decades after coming to America. Renewing childhood friendships and pridefully tracing her roots for family members who accompanied her on the trip gave her much joy. She also enjoyed tending to her garden, sharing her famous pizza and cookies with her family, and designing and sewing beautiful garments for her loved ones and herself. Most of all, she delighted in spending time with her granddaughters and great-granddaughter. She was predeceased by her devoted husband, Vincenzo Cavallo, whom she took care of for many years when he was ill, and by her parents, Giuseppe and Sebastiana Ventura. Maria is survived by her two loving children: Ann Marie Pari and her husband Cesare, and Vito Cavallo and his wife Lois. Maria also is survived by her three adored grandchildren: Amanda Sheridan and her husband Mark; Melissa Pari and her husband Alan Kalata; Christina Pari and her boyfriend Rob Garavente, and her beautiful great-granddaughter Ella Grace Sheridan. All who had the pleasure of knowing Maria saw her as a wondrous person. She left an indelible mark on this world as a loving wife and doting mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother; one who will be sorrowfully missed by all. The family will receive friends from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Friday, November 25, 2022, at the Michael Hegarty & John Vincent Scalia Funeral Home, 3377 US Highway 9, Old Bridge, NJ 08857. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on November 26, 2022 at 9:45 a.m. at Saints Simon & Jude Church, 185 Van Sicklen St., Brooklyn, NY 11223. Entombment will be at Green-Wood Cemetery, 500 25th St, Brooklyn, NY 11223. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.HegartyScaliaFuneralHome.com