Maria Josephine Accurso (née Brancato) passed away on October 12, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Maria was born on July 11, 1940, to Mario and Josephine (Prestigiacomo) Brancato. She was a blessing to her parents, arriving 8 years after her brother Nate and 12 years after her brother Sal. Maria's grandfather, Salvatore Brancato, started Fairyland Park in 1923. By the time she was born, her father Mario had taken over the family business. Maria said growing up in Fairyland Park was like a dream come true. When Fairyland was open for the season, the family lived at the park, and in 1959, they began living there year-round. The question Maria was asked most about growing up in an amusement park was, "How many times did you ride the roller coaster in a row?" The answer was 15-20 times.

Maria attended St. John the Baptist grade school and later Cardinal Glennon High School, graduating in 1957.  After graduating, she worked at Fairyland Park, and during the off-season, she worked for an insurance company. She married Vincent Accurso on October 22, 1966, at St. Augustine's Catholic Church.  Together they had two children, Jack and Jenne, and Maria considered them her most important accomplishment in life.

Maria was kind, generous, and loving.  Faith and family were most important to Maria, and her children and grandchildren were her pride and joy. She loved to travel, play cards, and was a fan of the Kansas City Chiefs.  She was proud of her Sicilian heritage and traditions.  She had a devotion to St. Joseph and for many years worked on the St. Joseph's Table at St. Thomas More Catholic Church.  Maria was a wonderful cook and baker.  Her signature Italian cookie was the Giuggiulena (sesame cookie) and it was always requested for Christmas, weddings, and St. Joseph's Day.  Maria was a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Friends of Special People, Camporeale Society, and Club Campofelice di Fitalia.

Maria is preceded in death by her parents, Mario and Josephine (Prestigiacomo) Brancato, her son Jack S. Accurso, her grandson John V. Bryant, her brothers Sal and Nate Brancato, nephews Mario Sal Brancato and Steve Brancato, sisters-in-law Helen Brancato, Carmeline Brancato, Frances Kramos, Virginia Williams, Neva Nicholson, and Anna Marie McNeil, brothers-in-law Malcolm Williams, Donald Nicholson, and James McNeil.

She leaves behind her devoted husband of 58 years, Vincent Accurso, her beloved daughter Jenne Accurso Bryant, and Jenne's husband Dwight Irvin, whom Maria considered her son, granddaughter Antonia Greet, grandsons Oliver and August Bryant, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Maria will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

Maria's family expresses its sincere gratitude to her caregiver Jackie Stigliano and the staff at Brighton Hospice for their personal, loving attention.

Services will be held on Monday, October 21, 2024, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church. Visitation will begin at 10:30 a.m., followed by the Funeral Mass at 12:00 p.m. Entombment will be at Mount Olivet Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital