- Date Of Birth: August 21, 1931
- Date Of Death: August 11, 2023
- State: Rhode Island
Maria Tzitzouris (Montecalvo), 91, a resident of North Providence for over 50 years, passed away at home on Friday, August 11, 2023 surrounded by her family. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 31 years John T. Tzitzouris.
Born August 21, 1931, in Panni, Foggia, Italy, she was the daughter of the late Angelo and Antonia (DeLuca) Montecalvo and sister of the late Saverio, Vito, and Costanzo Montecalvo.
As a courageous teenage girl, she emigrated to the United States on her own. She enrolled in night school to learn English and with her ambition to become a better seamstress, attended RISD to sharpen her craft. Once established, she and her husband sponsored her brothers and their families to join her in the U.S. She was passionate about her work and was employed by Esposito Sports for many years, finishing her career in her early 80s at The Drapery House.
Known as “Mama T” by all, her greatest joy was taking care of her family. On Saturdays she would make “flour” that would become her homemade pizza and doughboys. On Sundays there were dinners of macaroni with “gravy” and meatballs. She enjoyed sharing fruits and vegetables picked from her garden.
Her family will remember her as their teacher, protector, provider, and as a warrior. Rest in peace Ma, your job here is done.
She is survived by her three children, John Tzitzouris and his wife Lynn, Maria Plante and her husband Denis, and her daughter Roseanne Tzitzouris; as well as her two grandchildren, Mariana Tzitzouris and Denis “DJ” Plante, Jr., and nieces and nephews.
