Obituary of Maria T. DeJoy

Maria T. DeJoy, 83, of 159 Myrtle Street, died Monday, December 16, 2019, in UPMC Chautauqua. Maria came to the United States with her family in January 1953. She was born on April 26, 1936, in Rome, Italy, a daughter of the late Vincenzo and Palmira Latini Lopriore. As a young lady in Italy, she studied the art of being a seamstress. She always enjoyed fashion and fashion design. Maria and her husband owned and operated Hebner Heights Grocery and Catering. She earlier had worked for National Worsted Mills. Maria was a communicant of Holy Apostle's Parish, St. John Catholic Church. Maria will always be remembered for her love of her family. She became known by many of her children's friends as Aunt Maria, Momma DeJoy, or Momma Maria. Opening up her kitchen to all who would visit, even late nights. She was famous for her birthday dinners and holiday feasts which she so enjoyed. During the 30 years as a caterer, she was the first Wedding Consultant/Caterer in Jamestown, spending countless hours with brides-to-be, in her home, sitting at the dining room table assisting them in planning their wedding. She did that at no additional cost, so each wedding would go smoothly for the bride and her family. She was a firm believer, "if you were not going to do something right, don't it at all." Upon their retirement from Hebner Heights Catering, she and her husband Vinny were recognized by the Mayor of Jamestown, given the key to the city, and a Proclamation recognizing their services to the community was read into the Congressional Record by Congressman Brian Higgins. While her children were in elementary school, Maria was involved with the Fletcher PTA. Leading the Ways and Means committee, she facilitated the planning of many fundraising events for the PTA to provide students with wonderful experiences such as the fun fair, Sixth grade recognition parties, and she was the first to begin popcorn days, while taking turns being the room mother for each of her children. She initiated the Block Parent program, so that children would recognize the sign in a window of homes throughout the neighborhoods as a safe home. As a result of all her work, she was recognized by the City Council PTA and was given a Lifetime membership. During the last months, she showed courage and the strong will to live, even while in pain, so that she could be here for her family. She always put them and others before herself. She will be dearly missed by so many. Surviving are her husband Vincent P. DeJoy, whom she married April 12, 1958; five children Vincent (Norma) DeJoy of Jamestown, Maria DeJoy of Jamestown, Mark DeJoy of Buffalo, NY, Steven DeJoy of San Diego, CA and Paula DeJoy-Loomis (Robert Loomis) of Jamestown; four grandchildren Danielle DeJoy Moss (Ben), Madeline DeJoy, Isabella Loomis and Siena Loomis; a great-grandson Henry Moss; two sisters Lorenza (Bill) Everson of Jamestown and Rosa (Walter) Lopriore Marzi of Colleferro (Rome) Italy and a brother Anthony Lopriore of Greenwood, Indiana. She will be missed by her many nieces and nephews US. Additionally, by all descendants of the Latini family in Italy, including her Aunt Vincenzina and Uncle Lello. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers Michael and Dominic Lopriore and a half sister Maria Josephine Blanchard. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Monday in St. John Catholic Church. Rev. Dennis W. Mende will be celebrant. Burial will be in Holy Sepulcher Cemetery. Friends will be received from 1-4 p.m. Sunday in the Lind Funeral Home where a Christian Wake service will be led at 12:45 p.m. Memorials may be made to Shriner's Hospital for Children, 1645 W 8th St, Erie, PA 16505. You may leave words of condolence at www.lindfuneralhome.com.