Antonia Maria Lariccia, age 85 years, of Raritan Township, NJ, died suddenly but peacefully on Thursday, April 14, 2022, at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital-Somerset, Somerville, NJ.

Born on May 26, 1936 in Pietracatella, Italy, Maria, as she was lovingly known by family and friends, emigrated to the United States with her husband, Joseph, in 1954 at the age of eighteen. The family settled in Staten Island, NY, where Maria lived prior to moving to Flemington in 1987.

As the only girl with four brothers, growing up in Italy engrained in Maria a sense of family loyalty. She was extremely proud of her brothers and the family remained close despite the move to the United States. Joe and Maria were hard workers, and sought to provide their family everything that they needed to be successful and good members of society. Having seven children, she was a devoted mother and later, grandmother, giving her time and talents ensuring her children were grounded and resilient in all aspects of their lives.

Having one of her sons, Nicholas, die at the age of four, was a turning point for Maria in the sense that it made her even more resilient in her faith and encouraged her to live life to the fullest each and every day. This is one of the main ideals which she taught her children: to not let bad things hold them back and to always, always live each day serving God.

A longtime communicant of St. Magdalen Church, Flemington, NJ, Maria prayed daily for her family and for the world community. She was an amazing chef, and meal times at Maria’s home were family times, a time to gather, reflect, and celebrate one another. She also loved pop culture, and was usually ahead of her grandchildren on the latest celebrity gossip!

Though her passing will leave a void in the hearts of many, her life story is one which so many can look to and learn from. Her limited education never held her back and she lived life in a way that fostered love in the hearts of all with whom she came into contact.

In addition to her parents, her husband, Joseph, and her son, Nicholas, Maria was preceded in death by a daughter, Bernadette Duenas in 2011 and two brothers, Turuccio and Giuseppe Cordone.

Surviving are her children, Benedetto and his wife, Melinda Lariccia, Joseph Nicholas Lariccia, Antoinette and her husband, Anthony Dimino, Maria Louise and her husband, John Yasenchak, and Maria and her husband, Charles Colt; eleven grandchildren; many great grandchildren; two brothers, Saverio and Dante Cordone; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family; and many friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by Rev. Kenneth Brighenti will take place on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Magdalen Church, 105 Mine Street, Flemington, NJ. Everyone is kindly asked to meet directly at the church on Wednesday morning beginning at 9:45 a.m. Wright & Ford Life Celebration Care Team Family Ambassadors will direct you upon arrival.

There are no calling hours at the funeral home.

Following mass, Maria will be laid to rest with her husband at St. Magdalen Mausoluem, 99 North Main Street, Flemington, NJ. All are welcome to join the family at the cemetery.

You are encouraged to visit Maria’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of her life.

Memorial contributions in her honor may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, via mail to 30 East 33rd Street, New York, NY 10016, or online by clicking HERE.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”