Obituary: MARIA ALLEGRINI (nee D’Agostino)

MARIA ALLEGRINI (nee D’Agostino), age 92, was the beloved wife of the late Oronzo, loving mother of Isabella Mihalik (Dominic), Anthony and Nicholas (Diane); treasured grandmother of Antoinette Esposito (Tony), Dominic J. Mihalik, Jr. (Sarah), Anthony Galewood (Mary Grace), Brittany, Kaitlyn, Nicole and Lindsey; cherished great-grandmother of seven; and predeceased by her brothers, Angelo D’Agostino (Netta) and Onofrio D’Agostino (Dolores). Maria was born on February 10, 1926 to the late Quirico and Rosa D’Agostino in San Michele Salentino, Italy. She was the matriarch of her family – bringing faith, love and traditions that will be her legacy.  Cooking and feeding her family was her instrument of love.  She loved tending to her vegetable gardens and was always so proud to show new growth and to share her harvest.  She loved to grow basil, eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes and pole beans – and was still tending and harvesting through her 91^st summer.  Maria is known by all for her flower gardens and especially her signature flower, the dahlia.  She grew dahlias with her husband, Oronzo that were the size of a dinner plate, and grew to over 4 feet tall. They were spectacular!  Maria took every opportunity to be with her family – there is nothing that brought her more joy than her family.  She was the cornerstone of rich traditions; Christmas Eve dinners with her signature calamari, baccala, and fried cauliflower, Sunday dinners with her magnificent sauce, meatballs, and braciole, her fried eggplant and stuffed zucchini flowers for the Feast of the Assumption hosting the rosary and her biscotti cookies and chocolate brownies that she made for every important life event and ordinary family gatherings. There are too many favorites to mention.  She adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren and loved doing “patty cake” in Italian with the babies.  Maria had a steadfast and trusting faith and never complained, regardless of her suffering. All those who knew her felt her genuine love and will deeply miss her. Also, mourning her passing is her beloved extended family in San Michele Salentino, Italy. We will remember Maria in every flower that blooms.  Friends may call at the FERFOLIA FUNERAL HOME, 356 W. AURORA RD. (OH. RT. 82), SAGAMORE HILLS FOR VISITATION ON SUNDAY FROM 2-7PM. Funeral Monday 10:30 at the funeral home. Mass of Christian Burial 11:30 AM at St. Basil the Great Catholic Church. Entombment Nativity B.V.M. Mausoleum at All Saints Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested in her name to the Cornerstone of Hope, 5905 Brecksville Rd., Independence, OH 44131 or online at www.cornerstoneofhope.org.