Maria Focella

Maria Focella (nee Cannizzaro), age 89 of Wayne, died on Wednesday, February 9, 2022. She has lived in Wayne since 1989.

Maria was born in Baucina Palermo, Sicily and grew up there with her large, extended family. In her teenage years, she was educated by the nuns at the local convent. Her experience at the convent was immersive and as a result she was a deeply devoted Catholic throughout her lifetime. She prayed daily, prayed with her children daily, and as a grandmother, she would gathered her grandchildren at bedtime and pray together with them in their beds. She was like a saint, with exemplary and unwavering faith, and that faith guided her every day of her life.

As a teenage girl in her hometown, she caught the eye of a neighborhood boy named Antonino Focella. Tradition at the time dictated that Antonino’s father had to ask permission from Maria’s father before the two could begin dating. With the requisite permission granted, and a small gaggle of chaperones, Maria and Antonino began courting. They were married soon after, in 1955, and immediately began planning to move to America. Interesting as it is, Maria’s father was born in America and moved back to Sicily before she was born. Because he was a U.S. citizen, Maria was entitled to U.S. citizenship as well. She applied for her citizenship and moved to Jersey City Heights alone for ten months, living with her cousins and her aunt, while she put the documentation in place that would allow Antonino to join her here. She was very young, and the transition to American life was very challenging for her. In Sicily, she lived among a large family, dozens of close cousins, and she knew everyone. In America, she knew just about no one, and she missed all of her family members dearly. It was ten years before she had the opportunity to go back to Sicily to visit with her family. Needless to say, she was a devoted wife and mother, pouring all her love into her growing family here. She did everything for her children, maintained an impeccably neat home, and never complained about anything. She enjoyed visiting New York City, simply taking in the sights, and would often bring one of her kids with her to share the experiences with. Maria was also an excellent cook…perhaps beyond excellent. She was very naturally capable in the kitchen and could whip up an incredible meal from her modest little kitchen. If she knew what your favorite food was, you can rest assured she would make it for you the next time you visited! She was also a fantastic baker, making traditional Italian cookies and desserts. Everything she made was delicious. Maria never rested and she derived her happiness from doing things for others, most especially her family. She was soldier for her family, in the truest sense, and they will all miss her dearly.

Maria was particularly devoted to her grandchildren. Nonna, as they all affectionately called her, was actively involved in helping to raise them, picking them up from school, etc. Maria’s home was where they would all gather, and they often had sleepovers at Nonna’s house. She taught them to cook, she taught them to pray, and she taught them to love. Her grandchildren each have a very close and loving relationship with her, and each other, as a result. She was the best Nonna they could have ever hoped to have, and they will all miss her dearly.

Maria is survived by her four children; Dr. Salvatore and his wife Francesca of Little Falls, Dr. Joseph and his wife Susanna of Padua, Italy, Rita Pedraza of Clifton, and Anthony and his wife Rachel of Newtown, PA, and ten grandchildren; Alessandra, Carolina, Luca, and Luisa Focella of Little Falls, Samantha and Steven Pedraza of Clifton, Lucia and Antonio Focella of Padua, Italy, and Alessandro and Nicholas Focella of Newtown, PA, and her sister; Pasqualina Traina of Palermo. Maria was recently predeceased by her husband, Antonino, on January 16, 2022, and by her brother; Andrea Cannizzaro of Sicily in 2017.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Maria’s name would be greatly appreciated to The Orphanage of St. Antonio. https://www.rogazionistipadova.it/la-tua-offerta/in-memoria/