Maria Angelina (LaFrazia) Caruso

Maria A. Caruso  "Mama, Nonna, Nonna Maria, Zia Maria" was a caring, humble, and selfless mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend to so many.  She left this world on December 20, 2021 and was 85 years young.
 
Maria was born to Carmine and Carolina LaFrazia on November 25th, 1936, in the Province of Avellino, Italy.  It was there in the farmlands that she met her first love, the late Antonio Caruso. They married in Argentina and settled for a short time in the North End of Boston, before buying what became her lifetime home in Malden. After losing her husband at a young age, Maria took on a maternal/paternal role, raising her three children on her own. 
 
Maria had a strong work ethic and was an exemplary employee.  Over the years, she has worked for clothing manufacturers as a stitcher, including Forecaster Coats and retired from Piantedosi Baking Company after over 18 years of employment. “She was truly loved by everyone.”   
 
Maria was a talented food artist, having a passion for the Italian cuisine. She enjoyed growing her summer vegetable garden every year.  She was the “Miracle Grow” of anything she touched.  Her Sunday dinner sauce (“Ragu”) and meatballs will forever be “the best in class” as judged by her toughest critics, her three great granddaughters. The food aroma and love through the home will be sorely missed.  Maria saw the good in everyone. Despite the several illnesses and health battles she fought, you would never hear Maria complain or be bitter, rather, she would tell you how to cook your chicken.
 
Maria enjoyed the simple things in life: the outdoors, good friends and family, her Spanish Telenovelas, spending time on gardening, cooking, and praying. She would give the shirt off her back to anyone in need. Maria lived by these words of Mother Teresa: “The world is full of good people. If you can’t find one, be one.”
 
God bless you Maria.  Fly high with the angels…
 
Maria is survived by her daughters, Angela Dragonetti and her Partner Stan Raczynski of Malden, Lena Lake and her husband Christopher Lake of Florida; her Granddaughter Norina Schirripa and husband Joseph Schirripa of Winthrop; her grandsons, Anthony Dragonetti of Malden, Michael Lake of Florida, Christopher Lake, Jr. of Florida; her great grandchildren, Isabella, Teresa and Francesca Schirripa of Winthrop; her sisters Ermina Terracciano and Pina Basile of Argentina; and, several nieces and nephews.
 
She was preceded in death by her husband, Antonio Caruso, her son Rafael (Ralph) Caruso; her sister Rosa Petriello and her brothers, Elio, Pasquale and Antonio LaFrazia; and, her beloved fur buddy, Dusty.

Respecting Maria's wishes, Funeral Services concluding burial with beloved husband Antonio are private.

For those who wish, the family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at the address list below.
 

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