Agnes Marie Porinchak

Agnes Marie (née Fioritto) Porinchak, 86, after a long battle with ALS, passed away peacefully in her home in Silver Spring, Maryland, on November 2, 2025. A beloved wife, mother, nonna, sister, aunt, and friend, she was often lovingly described by her husband as “the eternal optimist,” with her warm, bright, and generous spirit evident to all who knew her. She was surrounded by family and friends in her final moments, sharing many “I love you’s” with all.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Joseph, daughter, Lisa Bruna, and beloved dog, Delilah. Agnes is survived by her daughters Laura Porinchak & Maria Porinchak, and grandsons Calvin Bankert & Riley Anthony.

Agnes was born to Emilio Fioritto and Elisa (née Bruno) Fioritto in 1939 in Cleveland, Ohio, and raised in a loving family with her older sister Marian Martin and younger brother Ralph Fioritto. For several years of her childhood, Agnes’ mother took in and cared for the children (and puppy, Ginger) of her ailing sister-in-law, instilling in Agnes, in her own words, “a beautiful example of caring,” and her “lifelong appreciation and love for children and animals.”

Agnes often regaled the younger generations with stories of growing up in her big Italian family and her favorite early jobs at Hough Bakery and as a model for a local dressmaker. In March of 1959, she accepted a job as a secretary in the Chemical & Metallurgical Lab at TRW, starting the same day as her future husband, Joe. They started dating in October of 1959 and married on November 11, 1961. Joe & Agnes were married for nearly 57 years until his passing in 2018, welcoming their three daughters and two grandsons along the way. In 1970, the family moved to South Carolina, where Agnes continued to devote her time to raising her three young daughters. In 1974, the Porinchak family moved to Maryland, where Agnes remained in the cozy home she cultivated until her final days.

Through the years, she worked a variety of jobs related to caring for others, starting in her daughters’ schools as a teacher — eventually retiring from her HR position at Manor Care Assisted Living Facility in Potomac. In every job she had, she made friends who lasted a lifetime, a testament to her sparkling personality and kindness. Always striving to learn and grow, Agnes also returned to school at University of Maryland in 1996.

A natural nurturer, Agnes instilled in her daughters a love of music, art, making homemade pasta, reading, education, and an affinity for whimsy. She was a devoted grandmother who never missed her grandsons’ stage performances, sporting events, or musical performances, and was always available to offer support and advice. She particularly enjoyed having her grandsons fill her home with piano and guitar playing and witty banter. Agnes enjoyed travel with friends and family, including annual family vacations to Virginia Beach with her sister’s family, and later many tropical vacations and a trip to Italy to visit friends with her husband. She loved theatre, live music, devouring mystery books, and getting to know her wonderful neighbors when walking her dog, Delilah.

After her ALS diagnosis and loss of mobility, she met and bonded with many new friends among her amazing group of caretakers, particularly Talita and her beautiful family. Agnes' warm and welcoming demeanor attracted wonderful people, who loved her as she did them, along with her community of friends and neighbors who had become part of her family. Her daughters and grandsons are forever grateful to them for the above-and-beyond genuine love and care they showed her in her later years.

Just a few weeks before her passing, Agnes stated, “No one needs to cry for me when I die because I had a happy life.” Indeed she did, and we thank her for sharing her wisdom, joy, and love with all who had the pleasure of knowing her.

A visitation will be held at Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home, Serenity Chapel, located at 11800 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland, 20904, on December 8, 2025, starting at 11:00 am.

The funeral service will follow at the same venue and room on December 8, 2025, beginning at 12:00 pm.

Burial will take place at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 13801 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland, 20906, on December 8, 2025, at 2:00 pm.

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