Maria C. Pensavalle

Maria C. Pensavalle, 91, of Dunedin, FL, loving wife of over 70 years to Vincenzo Pensavalle, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, surrounded by her family. Maria was born on June 20, 1933, in Canicattini Bagni, Sicilia, one of seven children of the late Giuseppe Mangiafico and Giuseppina (Aligata) Mangiafico.

Maria was raised in Canicattini Bagni, Sicilia, where she met and married Vincenzo, her “Zino,” on December 24, 1953. They began their family in Sicilia where they had their first two children and then migrated to the United States in the 1960s and had two more children. They settled in their family home in South Windsor, CT, where they raised their children and built their lives together. Maria, a stay-at-home mom, took pride in her home and homemaking skills. Mom’s talents in the kitchen, from homemade bread and pasta, to pizza and cutlets, were extraordinary. She loved her children and followed them all to Florida in 1994 with Zino when he retired.

In her spare time, Maria enjoyed working with her hands. From sewing and knitting to baking and tending her garden, where she grew the best tomatoes for homemade sauce, she never stopped moving. Mom was always on the go, getting things done. She loved spending time with her siblings, her family and friends. She will be missed by all those that knew and loved her.

Maria leaves behind her four children, Angela Pensavalle of Hudson, FL, Francesco “Frank” Pensavalle of Hudson, FL, Elisa J. Pensavalle and her partner, Eric J. Dembowski of St. Petersburg, FL, and Giuseppe “Joseph” Ettore Pensavalle and his partner, Dara Kelli McLeod of South Windsor, CT. She will be missed by her beloved grandchild, Jacky Lee Johnson and his partner, Rebeca Hall and great-grandchild, Shane Barker Johnson of Largo, FL. She also leaves behind her brother, Salvatore Mangiafico of Enfield, CT; sister, Lucia Caruso of Charlotte, NC and sister, Paula Oglesbee of Orlando, FL. In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her siblings, sister, Sebastiana Spina, brother, Sebastiano Mangiafico and sister, Antonietta Randazzo.

A public visitation for Maria will be held Saturday, May 17, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Connecticut 06109. Following the public visitation will be a burial at St. Mary Cemetery, 11411 Stanley St., New Britain, Connecticut.