Maria Fresta

Maria (Munafo) Fresta, 90, of Rocky Hill, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 18, 2026 with her family by her side. Born in Floridia, province of Siracusa, Sicily on May 24, 1936, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Concetta (DiPace) Munafo. Maria came to the U.S. in March of 1961. She worked for many years as an assembler at Colt Firearms and also owned The Blue Gift Shop on Franklin Avenue in Hartford. Maria was a former member of the Franklin Avenue Merchants Association. She loved to cook and nothing made her happier than hosting family dinners where everyone could be together.

A loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Maria will be forever missed by her two children, Gaetano “Tom” Fresta and Carmela Zavalick; five adored grandchildren, Nicole Fresta, Stephanie Fresta, Leah Zavalick, Zachary Zavalick and Madeline Zavalick and three cherished great-grandchildren, Ella Leach, Mason McArdle and Miles McArdle. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews and extended family members. In addition to her parents, Maria was predeceased by two sisters, Giovanna Fresta and Antonia Herington. The family would like to thank Maria’s CNAs, Annette, Verna and Joanne. The love shown to her in her final days will never be forgotten.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday, July 24 from 10 a.m-12 p.m. at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Memorial Park, Rocky Hill. In lieu of flowers, donations in Maria’s memory may be made to the Padre Pio Foundation of America, 463 Main Street, Cromwell, CT 06416.