Maria Navarro, age 87, of Winthrop and formerly of East Boston, died peacefully surrounded by loving family members on October 30, 2015. Maria was the beloved wife of 60 years of the late Raffaele Navarro and the devoted mother of Ralph Navarro and his fiance Stacey of Wakefield, Richard Navarro and his wife Kerri of Winthrop, Paul Navarro and his partner Debra of Billerica, Rosemary "BFF" Navarro of East Boston and Lisa Pezzella and her husband Anthony of Haverhill. She was the cherished Nana of Christian, Thomas, Joseph, William, Paul, Jr., James, Jessica, John, Juliet, Marissa and Alexandra. She is predeceased by her parents, Dominic and Carmina DiScetta and her adored brother Dominic. Maria is also survived by many adoring nieces, nephews and great grandchildren.

Born in Civitanova, Italy, Maria emigrated to the North End of Boston where she met the love of her life Raffaele Navarro who had recently emigrated from Italy to the North End as well. Maria and Raffaele married and raised five children. They were sterling examples of a generation whose prime motivation was making a better life for their children. Maria was a nurturing and supportive wife and mother and together with Raffaele instilled a set of values in their children and grandchildren that we are all forever grateful for.

For many years Maria was an active parishioner of the Sacred Heart Parish in East Boston and enjoyed PTA activities in the Sacred Heart School where all five children attended elementary school. In between the hustle and bustle of raising five children, Maria enjoyed time with friends, reading, cooking and baking. Maria was especially known for her gnocchi, meatballs, polenta and zeppoli. As the children began their own families, "Nana" started all over again with the grandchildren and had many happy times which resulted in loving, lasting relationships.

Maria loved to tell stories of life in Italy and the North End and the early days in East Boston of which her children and grandchildren never tired of hearing. As her family started lives of their own she had more time for herself, Maria enjoyed movies, live theatre, concerts and reading, but family time remained her greatest pleasure.

Maria will always be remembered as a loving wife, a great mother and friend, and a "Nana" who adored her grandchildren and in turn was loved and adored by them. As the sign on her mantle says, "Time spent with Nana, priceless."

Family and friends are cordially invited to attend the visitation from the funeral home on Tuesday, November 3, 2015 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. The funeral will be conducted from the funeral home on Wednesday, November 4, 2015 at 9:00 AM followed by a funeral mass in St. John the Evangelist Church 320 Winthrop St., Winthrop at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow the mass in the Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden.

Memorial donations may be made to the Joslin Diabetes Center, 1 Joslin Place, Suite 745, Boston, MA 02215 or to the Italian Home for Children, 1125 Centre Street, Boston, MA 02130-3495. 

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