Maria Teresa Friedenwald

Maria Friedenwald (nee Sisto), age 102, of Baltimore, Maryland went to rest with her Heavenly family, on July 31, 2025. She was predeceased by her father, Tommaso Sisto, who was a CPA with the Municipio di Bari in Italy, and her mother Giacoma Sisto (nee Carelli), her husband Norman Joseph Friedenwald, and her daughter Jacqueline Gryzmala. Maria was born on May 6, 1923, in Bari, Italy, a southern seaport along the Adriatic Sea.

Maria leaves behind her beloved daughters, Debora Anne Friedenwald and Norma Jean Curreri and her husband John Saverio Curreri, Sr; loving grandchildren, Thaddeus “Ted” Grzymala, Jr., Jacqueline “Mina” Centolanza and her husband Rocci, Norman Grzymala, John Saverio Curreri, Jr., and Kristofer Tommaso Curreri and his wife Evelyn; cherished great-grandchildren, Seth McCoy, Blane Early and his wife Rachael, Brooke Bell and her husband Trae, Brody Grzymala, Alexandra Isabella Curreri, and Lorenzo Gabriel Curreri; dear great-great grandchildren, Layla and Micah Bell. While Maria was predeceased by scores of lifelong friends, she also leaves behind many loving and devoted extended family and friends.

Maria received her diploma from the Normal School of Bari in Italy (Liceo delle Scienze Umane). As a young woman she lived through the horrors of WWII and then became a war bride when she met, and married Norman Friedenwald who was stationed in Bari with the 15th Air Force. Later Maria arrived in New York via the USAHS Algonquin, on February 22, 1946. She spoke no English, but went to school in the US and adapted in so many ways to her new country. She was committed to her husband, devoted to her family, and always had an interest in learning. She loved part-time and seasonal jobs such as being an Avon Lady. However, she was especially proud of being the best Luxury Gift Wrapper at Stewart's Department Store. After her husband's passing, Maria held 2 long term careers, one as the Italian Travel Agent at Roma Travel, then she retired after 15 years as a State employee from the Comptroller Office Retail Sales Tax Division. Once retired, she loved to travel and also volunteered weekly at the Parkville Senior Center for many years. Maria loved bowling, gardening and travel and her social life revolved around bingo. As her daughter Jackie said, "My mother is a social butterfly." While she treasured her adult life in the country that adopted her, she always said longingly that her heart would always remain in Bari, Italy and the beautiful Adriatic Sea.

Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the Schimunek Funeral Home, 9705 Belair RD, Nottingham, MD 21236, on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, from 3-5 P.M. and 7-9 P.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at 10 A.M, at St. Joseph Catholic Church (Fullerton, MD). Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Maria’s name to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org