Maria Rosaria Vitale

October 24, 1924 - March 10, 2022

Maria Rosaria Vitale, of Syracuse, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, March 10, 2022. Maria was born on October 24, 1924, in Satriano, Calabria, Italy, to parents Giuseppe and Rosina Drosi. She was predeceased by her husband, Domenico P. Vitale, in 1992, as well as two sisters, Rosina and Elisa, and two brothers, Teodoro and Mario. Maria is survived by her five children: Antonio (Mary Theresa) Vitale, Rossella (Eugene) Ippolito, Teodora (Joseph) DeMatteo, Giovanni (Janice) Vitale, Marcello (Lisa) Vitale, and daughter-in-law, Mary Jo Vitale. Maria also leaves behind nine grandchildren: Palma (Chris) Goss, Maria Ippolito, Lucia (Luis) DeMatteo, Heather (John) Marino, Bryanna (Toby) Vitale, Domenico (Laura) Vitale, Cristina (Matt) DeMatteo, Alessio Vitale, and Daniela Vitale. Maria is survived by two sisters, Barbara and Italia, who reside in Italy, and two brothers, Giuseppe in Italy and Cosmino in Canada. Maria leaves behind several cousins, nieces, and nephews, including Rino Mellace. For the last 7 years of Maria’s life, her pride and joy were her great grandchildren: Nora and Celia Goss, Dante Ambriati, and Kyler Marino. To them, Maria was affectionately known as “Supernonna”, a title she bestowed upon herself and certainly lived up to. Before Maria immigrated to the United States in 1974 with her husband and children, she resided in Satriano, Calabria. She was a homemaker who often helped her husband with his tailoring business. Maria was a communicant of Our Lady of Pompei/St. Peter Church and a member of their choir. Maria could be found in her kitchen during all hours of the day. She cooked for her family and friends, her children’s friends, and her grandchildren’s friends. Everyone seated around the table was considered family. If you were lucky enough to have a meal cooked by Maria, you were also lucky enough to leave with leftovers. The hours spent talking and laughing around Maria’s dining room table are cherished memories that all who gathered hold close to their hearts. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, from 11 am – 12:15 pm at Our Lady of Pompei/St. Peter Church, 301 Ash St., Syracuse, NY, immediately followed by a funeral mass in celebration of Maria’s life at 12:30 pm. She will be laid to rest in Woodlawn Cemetery Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Hospice of CNY. Maria’s family would like to thank the staff at Hospice of CNY for their kindness and support.