Maria Romanelli Parente Wilfong

MARIA ROMANELLI PARENTE WILFONG, a woman of strength, resilience, and boundless love, passed away peacefully on March 22, 2025 at the age of 91. She was born in San Cosma e Damiano, Italy, where she spent her childhood picking olives on the family farm, riding her donkey, and attending the schoolhouse established by her grandmother.

Her early years were marked by the turmoil of World War II. She was separated from her family when her home and farm were destroyed, her father taken prisoner, her brother forced into hiding, and her mother wounded by shrapnel. At just 12, Maria worked for the U.S. Army, helping to locate and recover fallen soldiers. When she was finally reunited with her mother and brother, she was gravely ill with Typhoid. In an effort to aid her, her brother went to fetch milk and tragically fell victim to a remaining landmine.

Determined to seek a better life, Maria urged her mother to immigrate to America. She arrived in New Jersey in 1953 with a dream and five dresses. With the support of her paesani, she and her mother relocated to Ohio, where Maria found her community at St. Rocco’s and her career at Modern Tool and Die, where she worked until retirement.

Maria raised her three beloved children—Joyce Parente (Mark), Nick Parente (Jacquelyn), and Tony Parente (Sue)—with the unwavering support of her mother, Antoinetta. The two worked tirelessly, one during the day and the other at night, ensuring constant care and love for the children.

In 1979, Maria met Freeman Wilfong, a fellow co-worker who became her devoted partner in life until his passing in 2023. They married in 1980 and together cared for her aging parents in their home until their passing.

During that time, Maria rekindled her love for the land, cultivating vibrant vegetable and flower gardens that would draw admiration from neighbors and passersby alike. Each season, she carefully canned her homegrown produce, preserving the flavors of her heritage for the meals she so lovingly prepared for her family. Even when cooking for four, she always made enough for fifty, often with Lawrence Welk or the Cleveland Indians playing in the background.

Maria’s greatest joy was found in her family, especially her grandchildren: Angel Adams (deceased), Christie MacMurray, Cassandra Parente (Matthew Richlovsky), Michael Parente (Jenna), and Shannon Parente. Every holiday became a reason to gather them all in her basement, each presented with a giant tray of their favorite food. Food being so scarce in her childhood, it became the way she showed her love—a tradition she extended to her great-grandchildren--Artemus Adams, Austin Adams, Caelyn MacMurray-Benson (Connar), Maddie MacMurray, Liliana Richlovsky, Henry Richlovsky, Miles Parente, Maisey Parente, Axton Adams and Maeve Benson. The flavors of her homeland and the language that still felt like home were gifts she gave throughout her life, singing them both lullabies and the Italian patty-cake “Pizza Pizza Tata.”

Maria’s life was a testament to resilience, love, and the beauty of family. She dedicated her time to serving others, volunteering with Meals on Wheels and other organizations to ensure that those in need received nourishment and companionship. She leaves behind a legacy of strength and generosity that will continue to inspire all who knew her.  Mass of Christian Burial at St. Rocco Church, 3205 Fulton Rd., Friday, March 28, 2025 at 11 a.m. Entombment Holy Cross Mausoleum.  Family and friends received at THE RIPEPI FUNERAL HOME, 5762 PEARL RD. (AT SNOW RD.), THURSDAY 4-7 P.M.