Maria Chiappetta

Maria Chiappetta of Yonkers, New York, passed away peacefully on September 18, 2026, at the age of 89, just one week shy of her 70th wedding anniversary

.Maria was born in Carolei, Cosenza, Italy, one of four children. She was raised there and grew up helping care for her family and their small farm. From an early age, Maria found joy in cooking, keeping her home, and growing fruits and vegetables—simple things that would remain close to her heart throughout her life.

It was in her teenage years that Maria met the love of her life, Luigi, at a church dinner in Carolei. Maria was just 16 and Luigi was 18. What began as a chance meeting grew into a beautiful love story that lasted nearly 70 years.

Luigi came to New York at the age of 19 and worked hard to build a future for the two of them. Four years later, he was able to bring Maria and their families to America. Maria and Luigi were married at St. Elizabeth Church in Washington Heights, New York, beginning a life together filled with family, faith, and love.

Maria was a devoted wife and mother who dedicated her life to her family. While Luigi worked in the family pizza businesses, Maria was at home raising their three children and making their house a loving home. The family moved to Yonkers in 1968.

In Yonkers, Maria became an active member of St. Paul the Apostle Church on McLean Avenue. Her faith was an important part of her life, and she was a deeply religious woman with a gentle and kind heart.

Maria loved making her home beautiful, creating ceramics, gardening, traveling to her beloved hometown of Carolei, and spending time at her beach home in Delray Beach, Florida. She enjoyed reading the Bible and watching Family Feud. But more than anything, Maria loved taking care of her family.

She was an amazing cook, and her meatballs, lasagna, eggplant parmesan, chicken cutlets and countless other dishes became treasured family favorites. Holidays were especially meaningful because they brought everyone together around Maria’s table. Her cooking was more than food—it was one of the ways she expressed her love.

Maria will be remembered as a quiet, sincere, gentle, and loving woman. She was soft-spoken, a wonderful listener, and someone whose words carried meaning. She was thoughtful, understanding, and always willing to offer guidance. To her children and grandchildren, she was the heart of the family.

Maria was not someone who needed to be the center of attention. Her love was shown in the everyday things she did—caring for her family, preparing a meal, tending to her home and garden, offering a kind word, and simply being there. She was a devoted wife, a wonderful mother, and a loving grandmother. Her family was her greatest accomplishment, and her love will remain with them forever.

Maria is survived by her beloved husband, Luigi; her three children, Susan (Gaetano) Sirna, John Chiappetta, and Maria Belmonte; and her five grandchildren, Anthony and Joseph Belmonte, Louis Chiappetta, and Gina and Annamaria Sirna. She will also be deeply missed by her extended family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Maria was predeceased by her siblings, Anthony and Frank Ragusa and Rosina DeRose.

A celebration of Maria’s life will be held at Pelham Funeral Home, 64 Lincoln Avenue, Pelham, New York, on Thursday, September 24, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Paul the Apostle Church, 602 McLean Avenue, Yonkers, New York, on Friday, September 25, 2026, at 10:45 a.m.

Interment will follow at St. Raymonds Cemetery in the Bronx.

For more information or to leave a condolence, please visit www.pelhamfuneral.