Maria Ridi Fiandaca was born on April 22, 1925 in Dosoledo, Comelico Superiore, Italy. She was the youngest of four siblings, Pio, Elisa, and Antonio, born to her parents Alfredo Ridi and Appolonia DeMartin. She moved to Florence after her mother’s premature death from Tuberculosis. There she met the love of her life Cristoforo Fiandaca. They were married in 1954, but the little girl from the Dolomite Mountains dreamed big and wanted to go to live in America where her brother Pio and sister Elisa already lived. In 1962, Chris, Maria and their son Massimo moved to Portland, Oregon. Linda was born a few years later. Maria worked for ten years at Danner Boots with Chris until they both retired. They worked to provide a better life for their family teaching the values of hard work and love of family. She spent many years in Portland, after moving to Newport News, VA and then in Oviedo, FL volunteering at hospitals and nursing homes, sharing stories, talking and singing, adopting many new “daughters” who became lifelong friends.
Her son and daughter brought additional joy to Maria’s already full life, including daughter in love Lori, son in love Jim; grandchildren Kate (Greg), Liz (Andrew), James, Brenna; great grandchildren Alice, Nora, and Julia. She opened her heart to many and has so many friends who are the same as family to her. The family wants to thank all of those special people who loved and cared for Maria. She wants you to remember her feisty personality and dry humor, to wear bright colors and celebrate her life, to enjoy nature, visit a butterfly garden, and open your heart.
In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to your favorite charity or the Alzheimer’s Association that took Maria’s love too early from her.
Mass of Christian burial will be at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church on Monday, July 26 at 11:00 AM. Interment services will be held privately.
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