Maria Picciocchi

Maria Picciocchi, age 76, of Elmwood Park, NJ, passed away on November 3, 2025, surrounded by her family. Maria was faithfully devoted to Angelo Picciocchi, her husband of 56 years, to her children Antonietta and Nicholas Mauro, Giuseppe and Janneke Picciocchi, Marianna and Nilay Patel, and to her grandchildren Marcella and Antonio Mauro, Lennard and Lilian Picciocchi, and Olivianna and Fiona Patel.

Maria was born on December 4, 1948 in Baiano, Italy, to her parents Giuseppe and Florinda Montella, where she lived with her sister Luisa Cascarano, until she moved to Clifton, NJ with her husband in 1969. Maria was a Master Tailor and dedicated homemaker. She worked endlessly sewing at night after her children were asleep, and eventually traveled by bus from Clifton to Wayne to fulfill the business she built with Angelo, and maintain the beautifully kept home they created together.

Maria will be remembered for her gentle sweetness, soft kindness, and ability to find the best in everyone. Her smile instantly warmed the heart of anyone she met. Maria led her life with politeness and would give her all to make her family and friends feel happy and valued. She loved to cook and often hosted and won cooking competitions with her friends. Maria loved to listen to music and attend concerts and operas, admire flowers, travel, shop, dance, and fill her home with the love and fun of hosting her friends and family. Indeed, whether at family gatherings or in quiet moments at home, Maria’s laughter could fill a room and remind everyone what happiness felt like.

Maria was proud of her Italian heritage and loved being part of many Italian-American clubs, watching Italian soap operas, visiting Italian cafes, and spending hours at Italian specialty shops. Every meal she prepared, song she sang, and dance she shared was a love letter back to her home in Italy.

Maria felt most at peace and happy by the ocean, a passion she shared with her husband in their home in Miami, Florida, and the many adventures they took around the world.

Most of all Maria loved to spend time with her grandchildren, going to parks, shopping in the mall, teaching them to cook, style clothes, and make family traditions that will be carried through generations.

Maria will be missed in measures beyond the written word.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, from 5:00-8:00 pm, at Marrocco Memorial Chapel, 470 Colfax Avenue, Clifton. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at Sacred Heart R.C. Church, 145 Randolph Avenue, Clifton. Burial services will follow immediately thereafter at Calvary Cemetery, 58 McLean Boulevard, Paterson.