Maria (Lillo) Castronova

Maria Castronova

Beloved Wife, Mother and Grandmother, 66

Mrs. Maria (nee Lillo) Castronova, 66, of Nutley, NJ, passed away on Sunday, April 30, 2023 at the Mount Sinai Hospital, NYC surrounded by her loving family.  Visitation will be at the Biondi Funeral Home of Nutley, 540 Franklin Avenue on Thursday, May 4 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  The funeral will be conducted from the funeral home on Friday, May 5 at 9:15 a.m.  There will be a funeral mass celebrated at St. Mary’s Church, 17 Msgr. Owens Place, Nutley at 10:30 a.m.  The interment will be held privately.

Maria was born in Bitetto, Bari, Italy and emigrated with her parents to Nutley at the age of six years old.  She earned her Teaching Degree in Italian at Montclair State College.  Maria was a professional educator who worked in many capacities throughout the Nutley School District for many years.  Maria dedicated her life to her family, her grandchildren and to her students and their families.  She was also passionate about cooking and gardening which she was teaching to her grandchildren.   

Maria and her husband were together for 47 years, and would have celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary on May 18.   

She is survived by her beloved husband John P. Castronova, Jr.; her devoted children Dr. Marisa Castronova-Wos and her husband Frank, Dr. John P. Castronova, III and his wife Treanna, Michele Kennedy and her husband Ryan, and Anthony Castronova; and also her cherished grandchildren Giovanna Pasqua, Dominic John, Connor John, Maria Jean and Luca William.

Maria is predeceased by her parents Erasmo and Pasqua (nee Marziliano) Lillo.

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