Obituary of Maria G. Cortese

Maria Gemma (Trudo) Cortese, a long-time Stamford resident, passed away on Monday, July 11, in Raleigh, North Carolina. She was 87.

Maria is survived by her loving children, Nick Cortese (Terezinha) of Beaufort, South Carolina; Frank Cortese (Debbie) of Frisco, Texas; and Rosanne Cortese Johnson (Len) of Cary, North Carolina, and her treasured grandchildren Leo, Julia, Alex and Katie. Her beloved husband of 54 years, Antonio Cortese, passed away in 2014.

She was born in the village of Carano, Municipality of Sessa Aurunca (CE), Compania, Italy to the late Tomasso and Isabella (Mancini) Trudo and emigrated to the United States in 1956.

Maria was a tireless worker who held jobs in local electronics and textile factories while studying English at night school.  Maria was proud to be an American citizen, encouraging others to embrace the opportunities that hard work can bring here. A shrewd businesswoman, Maria owned and managed rental properties and provided investment and savings advice to friends and family.

Everyone was welcome at Maria’s table, where she served Antonio’s homemade wine with her legendary meatballs and squares of pizza she cut with scissors. She seldom sat down herself, because she was too busy making sure her many guests stayed full.

She was an integral part of her daughter Rosanne’s household for 20+ years. First in Fairfield, where her house was the “fun place” for her grandchildren to play after school, and later in North Carolina where she could be seen on her front porch rocking chair enjoying nature and keeping an eye on the neighbors.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am at St. Clement of Rome Church, 535 Fairfield Ave., Stamford on Friday, July 22, 2022.  The internment will follow at Queen of Peace Cemetery, Stamford, CT.  NO calling hours will be held.  All arrangements are under the direction of Thomas M. Gallagher Funeral Home 104 Myrtle Ave Stamford, CT (203)-359-9999

In lieu of flowers, the Family Requests donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

To send on-line condolences to the family, please visit www.gallagherfuneralhome.com