Maria R. Gasparro

Raritan, NJ

Maria R. Gasparro, 88, of Raritan, NJ, passed away on Monday, June 26, 2023 at RWJ Somerville, surrounded by her family and loved ones. Born and raised in Calabria, Italy, Maria came to the United States in 1966. Once settled, Maria resided in Raritan for 57 years.

Maria spent 30 plus years working for Stanhope dress factory formally of Raritan as a Steam Presser before her retirement.

She enjoyed cooking, gardening, making tomato sauce and wine. She loved crocheting, writing in her journal, listening to her Italian music, and watching her soap operas especially Young and the Restless, Bold and the Beautiful, and General Hospital.

Maria loved to talk to her sisters, attending her daily mass at St. Ann's and then when she could no longer go in person, watching daily mass and her weekly visits with Sister Dolores. Family was everything to Maria. She enjoyed spending quality time with her family especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her beloved parents, Domenica and Vincenzo Ruffa, her loving husband of 58 years, Antonio Gasparro (2013), her brother, Gregorio Ruffa and her sister, Immaculata Suriano.

Surviving are her loving daughters, Saverina "Sabrina" and husband Gregorio Ruffa of Raritan, NJ; Domenica "Mimma" and husband Gregorio Grande of Branchburg, NJ; Tina and husband Anthony Staropoli of Raritan, NJ; Vincenza "Vicki" and husband Edward Kozic of Branchburg, NJ; Caterina "Cathy" and husband Daniel Gaughan of Bridgewater, NJ; her dear son Peter and wife Paula Gasparro of Lambertville, NJ; three sisters, Vincenza Greco, Caterina Grande and her husband Nicola and Isabella Cirianni and her husband Raffaele of Raritan, NJ; 19 cherished grandchildren, Grace, Vincenzo, Pasquale, Maria, Lisa, Joseph, Anthony, Lina, Edward, Gregory, Kevin, Gina, Meghan, Antonio, Jenna, Sofia, Marco, Gabrielle, Olivia, and 20 adored great grandchildren, Greg, Julia, Gregory, Frankie, Michaela, Isabella, Pat, Brianna, Larissa, Enzo, Matteo, Marco, Joseph, Michael, Lila, Eddie, Mark, Emila, Luca, and Christian.

A viewing will be held on Wednesday, June 28, 2023 from 4-8pm at the Branchburg Funeral Home 910 Rt. 202 South, Branchburg, NJ 08876.

A prayer service take place on Thursday, June 29, 2023 at 9:15am at the funeral home. Mass will follow at St. Ann's R.C. Church at 10am. Entombment will follow at St. Bernard Cemetery in Bridgewater, NJ.

Memorial contributions may be made in Maria's memory to The National Center of Padre Pio 111 Barto Road, Barto, PA 19504, www.padrepio.org