Maria A. Armstrong 1940-2022
AUSTINTOWN — Maria Rose Armstrong, a beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother and friend during her incredible 81 years of life, passed away peacefully in the arms of the Lord on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, surrounded by her family.
Born May 16, 1940, in Reggio Calabria, Italy, Maria was born to two loving parents, Pasquale Musolino and Maria Christina Guidace.
Her father came to America in 1955, and in 1958, at the age of 18, Maria bravely joined her family. Maria worked as a seamstress while learning the English language.
She worked at a local favorite Italian specialties store for more than 20 years as a baker. From this experience, and her Italian heritage, she developed a passion for baking and cooking for her loved ones and continued these traditions with her family.
She loved spending time with all of her family, but the highlight was spending time with Gina. Her priority was meeting Gina’s needs and the quality time they spent together. Her spirit will continue to watch over Gina. She also devoted her time with her grandchildren, who she taught how to play games, cards and her love of cooking.
Maria was a member of St. Joseph Church in Austintown. She volunteered for Goodwill and St. Elizabeth Hospital, where she knitted hats for the newborns. She brought light and love into everything she did and everyone she met.
Maria is survived by her three children, Frank (Tammy) Valley, Regina “Gina” Valley and Richelle (Jeff) Laughner; her three stepchildren, Joanne (Dan) Groleau, Howard (Janet) Armstrong Jr. and Becky (Thomas) Moffett; her five siblings, Grazia (Vincenzo), Nunziato (Maria), Joseph (Patricia), Francesca (Guiseppe) and Teresa (Francesco); her three grandchildren, Natalina (Ben) Kazimir, Karlina (Evan) Wander and Sidney Laugher; and six stepgrandchildren, Dawn Baer, Alan Logue, Bobbi Jo (Randall) Killing, Paul Cetor Jr. (Jessica), Jason Cetor and Jamie (Nick) Adams; and her great-step-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, Maria was preceded in death by the love of her life and husband, Howard E. Armstrong, whom she married May 5, 1988, and who died Nov. 30, 2015; her brother, Vincent Musolino; and her niece, Krista Musolino.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, at St. Joseph Church, 4545 New Road, Austintown. Friends and family may call 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022, at Lane Funeral Homes, Austintown Chapel.
The family requests memorial contributions be made, in Maria’s name, to the Rich Center for Autism at richcenter.ysu.edu/donate or Alzheimer’s Association, Greater East Ohio Chapter, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, D.C. 20090-6011.
To share thoughts of sympathy, visit lanefuneral homes.com.
(special notice)