Maria Rea

Maria was born in 1947 in Arpino, Italy, and was instantly adored as the fourth of five children of Loreta Marcuccilli and Alessandro Rea.

The family sought a better life in the United States in 1955. Maria learned English by immersion in school, and graduated from Mynderse Academy in Seneca Falls, N.Y. She liked to drive around town with her friends, and would turn the engine off when going down hill to save gas.

Her parents decided to move back to Italy in 1967 and took Maria and her younger sister with them. Soon after returning, the blonde-haired “American” captured the heart of a family friend, Pasquale Rea, and soon after they sealed their love in marriage on Feb. 18, 1968.

Maria and Pasquale moved to Seneca Falls, and later to Detroit in 1969. Maria helped Pasquale manage the business he started, and later assisted her sons with their companies too.

She also became a licensed nail technician, and enjoyed treating her friends and family to manicures.

Maria was an active volunteer and board member at the Italian American Club of Livonia, where she also enjoyed activities like playing cards and participating in bocce tournaments, as well as attending Pasquale’s keyboard and accordion gigs.

She loved to travel when she could, enjoying trips to Italy and Florida to visit family, and excursions to places like Malta and Philadelphia with friends, and was always ready to treat visiting nieces and nephews to U.S. attractions like Niagara Falls and Las Vegas.

Maria found her deepest purpose in caring for her family. The mother of three sons, she went to countless music competitions and soccer games.

Maria was for many years a full-time babysitter to her cherished grandchildren, and planned many special activities with them including pasta-making night and shopping excursions. She frequently attended their musicals and soccer games, and the biggest gift she could be given was a visit, a phone call or an invitation from one of her grandkids.

She was unlimited in generosity – with gifts, with her time, and with her homemade food. She hosted large family dinners, including the Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve. Cooking wasn’t just for special occasions -- her house was home base for drop-ins from her kids and grandkids, who were always greeted with a hot meal, impressive homemade bread and sweets. Maria also generously cared for her aging mother for many years.

Maria is predeceased by her parents, her dear brother Marco of Waterloo, N.Y., and her gracious daughter-in-law Lisa Rea of Livonia.

She will be profoundly missed by her loving husband Pasquale and her cherished sons David (Kristin) Rea, Doniel Rea, and Stephen (Sarah) Rea, all of Livonia. She will be forever mourned by her adoring sisters, Ersilia (Benito) Zagaroli of Livonia, Virginia (Thomas) Leone of Seneca Falls, and Gina (Ermano) Arcese of Arce, Italy.

Her heart will remain dedicated to her cherished grandchildren Alexis (Luke) Salazar, Domonic Rea, Lucas Rea, Adelina Rea, Fletcher Rea, Charlotte Temkow, all of Livonia, and Sophie Temkow of San Diego, Calif.; two great-grandchildren; and numerous devoted nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 31, from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Harry J. Will Funeral Home, 37000 Six Mile Rd, Livonia, MI 48152.

Funeral Mass will be Wednesday, April 1, a

beginning at 9:30 am at St. Kenneth Catholic Church, 14951 North Haggerty Road, Plymouth, MI 48170, followed by interment at Glen Eden Memorial Park in Livonia.

The family asks that you consider donations to the Lisa Rea Patient Assistance Fund at the Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit.