Maria Graziella Biondo was born March 1st, 1923 to Filippo and Paola, she joined her heavenly father on August 30th, 2018 after a brief illness. She was the light of our lives, who taught us by example and devotion by her unbridled faith-driven life than never once wavered.

The Rosary will be prayed at 4 p.m. followed by Visitation from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, September 4, at Passantino Bros. Funeral Home, 2117 Independence Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64124. The Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 5, at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 309 Benton Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64124. Entombment will follow at Forest Hill Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to St. Anthony Parish.

Maria Graziella Biondo born in Pula, Croatia, but at that time, it was part of the Kingdom of Italy, after the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Her maternal ancestors included several Doges of Venice.

Maria's first half of her life played out like an Italian neo-realist film that could have been directed by Vittorio De Sica. Nothing was granted easily. She was a seamstress by trade. She lost a baby boy Franco, during World War II. She struggled and worked as no woman should, soldering large iron structures, even severing her pinky finger, as Italy struggled to get back on its feet after being decimated by the two great wars.

Maria and her husband fought a 35-year struggle to immigrate legally to the United States to join his family and follow his dreams of a better life for his own.

When she and her husband Damiano and three of their five children finally were granted permanent visas to immigrate to the United States, they left two grown daughters Silvia and Paola behind. This separation was a source of unspeakable grief to be 5000 miles away from their loving daughters and their families. She also left behind her own mother and father, sisters and brothers with their families.

Maria was an elegant woman, always dressed beautifully with her own hand made Vogue patterned clothes and the lovely fabric that she meticulously chose. Her home was filled with beautiful and lovingly crafted items including magic baby blankets. We marveled at how she managed this while working full time. All along keeping an impeccably clean house and yard and cooking meals that would make a top chef bow in reverence, then go to bed and still manage to read a classic.

Maria's preparedness for the afterlife was part of her daily routine, always striving to please God. She spent hours in prayer and in daily devotion. Her last cognizant words were "Heavenly Father lift me up to You".

Maria leaves behind; her grieving children that will miss and cherish her the rest of their own days. Silvia and (Giovanni predeceased) Della Fortuna (Italy), Paola and (Filiberto) Fiorini (Italy) Filippo and (Rose) Biondo (Kansas City) Adriana Biondo-Denney (Kansas City) Maurice Biondo (Kansas City) along with their respective children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Two sisters and a brother in Italy. Her dearest confidant and sister-in-law Frances Saluto. Many beloved nieces and nephews that are dispersed throughout five continents. All of her treasured St Anthony Catholic Church family.

She was a member of the Daughters of Columbus and Daughters of Isabella.

Pallbearers: David Biondo, Larry Brassfield, Paul Gimmarro, Bill Harrell, Alec Madrigal, Gage McGarry.

Tis a fearful thing
to love what death can touch.
A fearful thing
to love, to hope, to dream, to be-
to be, and oh, to lose.
For your life has lived in me,
your laugh once lifted me,
your word was gift to me.
To remember this brings painful joy.
Tis a human thing, love,
a holy thing, to love
what death has touched.

~Yehuda HaLevi