Submitted by: Dan Rich

South Bend Tribune 8/22/2000

Maria C. Ferraro

June 29, 1905 - Aug. 20, 2000

Maria Carmela Ferraro, 95, of South Bend Avenue, South Bend, Ind., died of natural causes at 4 p.m. on Sunday Aug. 20, in the Cardinal Nursing and Rehabili-tation Center.

She was born to Nicola and Teresa (Jemma) Linarello in Gioiosa Ionica, Province of Reggio Calabria, Italy, on June 29, 1905. In 1926 she married Dominic Femia, who died in 1945. After many years of being a widow she married Vincent James Ferraro in 1956 in Italy, and then emigrated to the United States that same year.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Rocco (Teresa) Linarello of South Bend and Nicola Linarello of Rome, Italy; and by two sisters, Rosa Simeri and Josephine Ferraro, both of South Bend.

She is survived by a sister, Natalie Simeri; two sons, Armando Femia of South Bend and Rocco (Rosetta) Femia of Torino, Italy; two daughters, Teresa Fuda of North Bergan, N.J., and Rose (Rocco) Canzio of Gioiosa Ionica, Province of Reggio Calabria, Italy; three stepsons, Nicholas (Rose) Ferraro, Louis (Betty) Ferraro, Patrick (June) Ferraro, all of South Bend; two stepdaughters, Teresa Caruso of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Clara (William) Mitchell of South Bend; and by 14 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Maria Carmela became a widow at a very early age and lovingly raised her four children from infancy to adulthood on her own in Italy. Many years later, after her marriage to Vincent James Ferraro in 1956 and emigrating to the United States, she brought her son Armando, her daughter Rose and son-in-law Rocco and their family to the United States. Her youngest daughter Teresa had already married, emigrated to the United States, and settled in North Bergan, N.J.

She loved all of her children and their families deeply. She was kind and generous and was never at a loss for words. She loved to play bingo, and enjoyed being with her family and friends. She will be forever in our hearts.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 23, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, South Bend. Burial will be at the St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park Cemetery, Granger, Ind.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today, Aug. 22, in the McGann Funeral Home, University Area Chapel, 2313 E. Edison Road, South Bend.