Maria G. Paonessa

ALBANY – Maria Giovanna Paonessa, 83, of Albany, passed away on Saturday, January 7, 2023.  Her own story is one full of love, family, passion, pride,and some of the best Italian cooking you’ve ever tasted.

Maria would be the first to tell you, “I am from Rome,” and say it with such pride you couldn’t help but wish you were from Italy, too. It was in Rome that she was a teacher of health & nutrition. She met her husband Dominick in Italy and the two came to the United States in 1969. One year later, they were married, and the rest is both history and herstory.

The same year Maria was married, she saved people from a gas leak on Tampa Avenue, evacuating them from their homes just before a gas explosion. It was not her first act of heroism, nor would it be her last.

Maria always put others before herself and would cook for them every chance she got. Between her cooking and her company, her home was a place full of love — and a whole lot of Parmigiano Reggiano.

It was at her home that Maria passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 7, 2023, at the age of 83, surrounded by family and friends. She is survived by her beloved husband Dominick F. Paonessa, M.D.; her daughter Marisa P. Paonessa of Chicago; her son Christopher Paonessa of Albany; and her two granddogs Luigi and Mimi.  She was predeceased by her brothers Tonino and Dante Cardona.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, January 13th, at 12:00 noon in St. Joseph’s Church, 1413 Pine Ave, Niagara Falls.  Burial will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Niagara Falls.  Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hans Funeral Home, Albany.  To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com .