Marie Victoria Balestra

Born and raised on Federal Hill in Providence, she was the daughter of the late John and Carmella (Sirabella) Manzo.

Marie was lovingly referred to as “Noni” by her grandchildren and great grandchildren, but that name was extended to family and friends as everyone knew her simply as “Noni”.

Marie’s passion was cooking and entertaining for her family and friends, especially with her signature pizza. She proudly passed on that tradition and secret recipes to her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Marie retired from the Central Falls School Lunch Program after serving hundreds of children extra portions as she didn’t want any food to go to waste. She was a former member of the Knights of Columbus Bouffard Council Ladies Auxiliary in North Providence. Marie was an active member at the Lincoln Senior Center, participating in classes three to four times a week. She was a communicant of St. Jude Church for over 55 years. Marie had a zest for life, never one to turn down a party invitation and a chance to dress to the nines. She truly showed her family that age was just a number.

She was the loving mother of Maria Bessette and her husband William, with whom she resided with for over 27 years and the late Stephen Balestra; mother-in-law of Patricia Balestra; devoted grandmother of Jennifer Vachon and her husband Timothy, Matthew Bessette, Andrew Bessette and his wife Audra, Erin Owsik and her husband Erik, Stefan Balestra, Michael Balestra and the late Marissa Lorea and cherished great grandchildren Madelyn Vachon, Vivian Vachon, Isabella Bessette and Marko Bessette. She is survived by her brother William Manzo and his wife Betty and predeceased by her siblings Emma, Vincent, Pasco “Patsy”, James “Jimmy”, Phyllis, Jenny, Mafalda “Muffy”, Ida, Anna, and Rose.

Her funeral will be held Friday, August 9, 2024 at 8:30 AM from the PONTARELLI-MARINO FUNERAL HOME, 971 Branch Avenue, Providence followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM in St. Jude Church, 301 Front Street, Lincoln. Burial to follow in St. Francis Cemetery.

VISITATION THURSDAY from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Marie’s memory to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at https://danafarber.org/donate