Maria Giovanna (Porfiri) Romano

Maria Romano, 81, was called back home by her Heavenly Father on Sunday, October 27, 2019. She was at home surrounded by her loving family.

She was born to Tito and Rosa Porfiri (nee Longo) on June 25, 1938 in the Calabria region of Italy in the village of Canolo.

Maria immigrated to Toronto, Canada in 1959 and then moved to Yonkers, New York a few years later. She returned to Italy to marry Francesco Romano on December 28, 1961. After fulfilling his service in the Italian army, he immigrated to America in 1966. She was extremely proud when she became a United States citizen in May 1966. They began their family and moved to Silver Spring, Maryland in 1969, and in 2005 Francesco and Maria moved to their dream retirement home in Dayton, Maryland.

She was a master seamstress whose talents led her to work in the wedding gown and custom upholstery industries. She particularly loved making clothing for her family and friends. She was an avid gardener who loved sharing her vegetables and flowers with her family, friends, and neighbors.

Maria was a devout Catholic. While living in Silver Spring, she was a member of Saint Andrew the Apostle Parish. She became a member of Saint Louis Catholic Parish of Clarksville, Maryland, when she moved to Dayton, where she especially treasured her weekly home visits by the Pastoral Eucharistic Ministry.

Maria was known for her generosity, kindness, wisdom, strength, and great humor. She was especially known for her goodness and caring support for those in need. Maria lived life to the fullest. She loved singing, dancing, and family gatherings.  She loved the beach and her pre-dawn beach walks. She adored sharing her Italian heritage and traditions, particularly her amazing cooking.  But her greatest love was her family, especially her grandchildren. The love shared between Maria and her grandchildren is boundless. And it is that love that will always be the lasting reminder of what a beautiful person she was and what a beautiful life she was blessed to live.

Relatives and friends may visit Donaldson Funeral Home in Clarksville, 12540 Clarksville Pike, Clarksville, Md on Wednesday, October 30 from 2:00p.m.to 4:00p.m and again from 6:00p.m.to 8:00p.m.  A funeral Mass will be offered in the main church at Saint Louis Catholic Parish, in Clarksville, 12500 Clarksville Pike, Clarksville Md  on Thursday, October 31, 2019 at 10:00a.m.  Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 13801 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland 20906.

In addition to flowers, those desiring may make a donation in her memory to: Dr. Pantelyat Research in Parkinson’s Disease and Related Disorders – (https://secure.jhu.edu/form/neuro; select “other” and dropdown menu in empty field, type “Dr. Alexander Pantelyat’s research in Parkinson Disease”.), or to Saint Louis Catholic Parish, or Gilchrist Hospice Center- 11311 McCormick Road, Suite 350, Hunt Valley, MD 21031