Maria Antonia Mariano

Maria Antonia (Leonardo) Mariano, age 86, passed away on March 31, 2025. She was the beloved wife of the late Antonio “Tony” Mariano, to whom she was married for 54 years. They raised their family in Johnston before moving to Cranston after the children were grown.

Born in Pietramelara, Caserta, Italy on October 5, 1938, Maria was the daughter of the late Vincenzo and Agata (Santonastaso) Leonardo.

In 1956, Maria met Antonio while he was on a military leave visit in Italy. Antonio knocked on the wrong door to deliver a package for a friend when Maria answered, and he fell in love at first sight. In 1957, she sailed to the United States on the U.S.S. Independence. Maria began training as a seamstress at a very young age which led to her lifetime love of sewing. After settling in Rhode Island, Maria was well known as a seamstress for family and friends as well as for Filenes and Macys. Maria was a member of the St. Rocco’s Women’s guild and the church community.

Maria was the devoted mother of Rocco A. Mariano and his wife Rita, Mary Jane Nardone and her partner Gary Gillheeney and Doreen M. Corvese and her partner Ernest Porco. She was pre-deceased by brothers, Nicola, Pasquale and Aurelio Leonardo. Maria was the cherished Nonna of Antonio Mariano; Amanda and Greg Wilson; Stephanie and Jay De Luca; and Matthew Corvese. Maria was the great grandmother of Owen Wilson and a second baby Wilson on the way.

Her visitation will be held on Tuesday April 8, 2025, 4-7:00 p.m. in the Romano Funeral Home, 627 Union Avenue, Providence. Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday April 9, 2025, 9-10:30 a.m. in the Romano funeral Home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am in St. Rocco’s Church, 927 Atwood Avenue, Johnston. Entombment will follow in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston. In Lieu of flowers Contributions may be made in her memory to the National Kidney Foundation, www.Kidney.Org