Maria Saliola, 93, Loving and Caring Mother and Grandmother

Maria Saliola, 93, formerly of Fanwood, died on Friday, September 6, 2024, in East Hanover. The funeral was on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, from the Rossi Funeral Home in Scotch Plains. From 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., a visitation was offered for family and friends at the funeral home, and at 11 a.m. a funeral mass was celebrated at St. Bartholomew the Apostle Roman Catholic Church in Scotch Plains. The entombment followed at Fairview Cemetery in Westfield. Donations and contributions can be made in Maria’s memory to St. Bartholomew the Apostle Church in Scotch Plains.

Maria was born and raised in Cugnoli, Italy. She came to the United States with her family at the age of 16. They lived in New York City, and Maria went to work in the Garment District. She was a seamstress for more than 20 years, specializing in dresses and wedding gowns. Maria would often set new production floor records by making over 100 dresses a day. While she was working as a seamstress, she was a member of the Seamstress Labor Union, New York City. She met Pasquale, her husband, in New York City and they settled in Fanwood, N.J., in 1980 to raise their son, Domenick.

Maria then started working for the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Board of Education at the high school cafeteria and in the teachers’ lunch room. She was with the school district for over 30 years, prior to retiring in 2010. Maria and her family have been parishioners of St. Bartholomew the Apostle Church for many years. She spent over 15 years in the parish as a volunteer at the annual Italian Festival, cooking and serving food for the feast. She also helped clean and maintain the convent during the summer months when she was not working at the high school. Maria loved to cook, clean, sew, crochet and bake. She found true enjoyment in caring for her family, especially her grandchildren. She was also an excellent cook, and would serve delicious home-cooked meals to her family at dinner and on holidays. Maria enjoyed spending time in her vegetable garden and preparing with what she grew.

Maria is predeceased by her husband, Pasquale, and her nephew, Michael Buzzeo. She is survived by her son, Domenick (and his wife, Michele); her two grandsons, Domenick, Jr. and Joseph; her sister, Ida Panebianco; and her two nieces, Dorothy and Sandra.

September 12, 2024