Maria (Cerqua) Savona

Rotterdam - Maria Savona, 95, went to heaven after a valiant struggle with Alzheimer’s on February 28, 2023 surrounded by her beloved husband Natale and adored children and family. She was born in Rochester, NY to the late Francesco and Maria Grazia Cerqua on October 30, 1927 and returned to Sora, Italy with her family when she was 2 years old. She is predeceased by her twin sister Filomena and brother Domenico. She was happily married for 73 years to the love of her life Natale Savona (eloping after knowing each other for one day) and immigrated to America in 1950 to start their new life in a land of opportunity. She was devoted to her husband Natale and their love knew no bounds. She was a devoted homemaker with a strong work ethic working 13 years for GE Turbine. Maria was an avid cook with her husband always at her side.Her greatest joy was gathering the family for Sunday or holiday dinners with her homemade sauce, pasta, meatballs, veal cutlets and fresh vegetables from the garden.The house was always filled with love, laughter, music, dancing and homemade wine.Her husband Natale was her soulmate and her main focus was always her family… nurturing, caring, and always there for us. She felt that love, hard work and a simple love in Jesus was all you needed in life. This has defined who we are as a family today. She and her husband enjoyed their frequent trips to Atlantic City & Vegas Casinos and avid travels to religious pilgrimages visiting the Vatican, Jerusalem, Fatima in Portugal, Lourdes in France, St. Anthony in Padua, St. Joseph in Montreal and St. Anna in Quebec… also traveling extensively across the US, Europe and Israel. She is survived by her loving& devoted husband Natale; children Angela (Paul - recently deceased) Trudell and Joe (Kristine) Savona; grandchildren Scott (Korrina Greeley) Trudell, Jeremy (Nichole) Trudell, Jennifer (Brian) Williams, Michael Savona, and Nick (Delilah) Savona; great-grandchildren Lucas, Riley, Pippa and Nico; along with many nieces and nephews. They loved their Nonna so much and will always be in their hearts. Maria’s family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Kevin Costello, Community Hospice and Nelly O’Hea for the love and exceptional care given to her. A visitation will be held on Monday from 5-7pm at the DeMarco Stone Funeral Home, 1605 Helderberg Ave., Rotterdam. A funeral mass in celebration of Maria’s life will be held on Tuesday at 10:30am at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, 210 Princetown Rd., Rotterdam, NY. She will be laid to rest at Sts. Cyril & Method Cemetery at her family mausoleum at 611 Duanesburg Rd, Rotterdam. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Community Hospice Foundation, 310 South Manning Blvd., Albany, NY 12208 or to the Alzheimer’s Association, 1003 New Loudon Road, Suite 201, Cohoes, NY 12047.