Maria Bassani

Born 14 JAN 1939 in Poland, Europe.

Married Pawel (Paul) Szarek 17 SEP 1957

Had one child, Krysztof Piotr (Christopher Peter) Szarek in 1958

The family of three immigrated to the USA November 1964 traveling from France to New York City on the Queen Mary. Living on the lower east side of Manhattan, Maria worked as a waitress and eventually she and Paul bought a luncheonette on Second Ave. The business allowed the family to buy land in Upstate New York where they would go every weekend to a small A-frame cabin while building a cabin home in the woods.

The family moved to Upstate NY after buying a diner restaurant in the Catskills. She sponsored her two sisters Jane and Hannia (Ann).

Maria was well known in the area for fresh daily baked pies and roast beef. She became close friends with many of her customers and the community in the small town of Grand Gorge.

Maria’s husband Paul, left her and his son in 1974. Maria separated from her estranged husband in 1975 and a few years later married Richard Bassani. They separated after few years after but remained friends. She would keep the Bassani last name and never remarried.

She would sell the business after 40 years and retire in Uvalde TX moving to a home her son built in the mid 80’s. Maria was diagnosed with non-Hoskins lymphoma and became a cancer survivor. In her 70’s she was diagnosed with Advanced Macular Degeneration and moved to Los Osos to a home next door to her son and his wife Cyndi. She loved her home in Los Osos and being close to her family including granddaughter Carlee and grandson Carson. Becoming forgetful, she was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s and eventually moved to a care facility in Los Osos where she passed on May 8th, 2024.

Maria was the best mother anyone could have. She fiercely loved her son, his family and a devoted Catholic. Her strong will to live allowed her to beat cancer and live as much a normal life while combating AMD and the progression of Alzheimer’s.

She made her community a better place and touched all those that knew her with friendship. A big part of her will live in all our hearts as we are reminded of her by all the memories she left behind.