Maria Assunta Pelle

Maria Assunta Pelle (nee Baris), devoted wife for 67 years to Romualdo Pelle. Cherished mother of AnnaMaria (James) Spurgin, Linda (Tim) Armstrong, and the late Dino (Becky) Pelle. Adored grandmother of Jamie (Aaron) Zupka, Molly (Brian) Morande, Lisa (Joey) Lyons, Dominic Pelle, Lindsey (Matt) Butcher, Gabrielle and Natalie Armstrong. Devoted great-grandmother to Mila and Izzy Zupka, Luciana, Carmella, Regina, Maria, Jacob and Angelica Morande, and Wyatt and Ryder Lyons. She was also a loving sister to Jospeh (Judy) Baris, and aunt to Tony (Kristin) Baris, Lisa (Dave) Schweppe, and Julie (Greg) Fronista as well as numerous great-nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind friends and extended family in Italy.

Maria was born in Esperia, Italy on October 13, 1936, to the late Luigi and Ascenzia (nee Corelli) Baris. Having lost her mother at an early age and witnessing the hardships brought on by WWII, she, her brother, and her father came to the United States in 1956 at the request of her grandfather, who was living in Goshen, Ohio. She married Romualdo Pelle in 1958. She was an excellent seamstress and was a constant help to her husband when he opened Romualdo’s in 1968, in the heart of Madeira.

Having lived through the difficulties of the war and arriving in America speaking only Italian, Maria clung to her Catholic faith to keep her strong. She joined St. Gertrude Catholic Church in 1964 and was a devoted member, raising her family up in the church.

She enjoyed living a quiet life, gaining pleasure from simple things like cooking delicious Italian meals for her family, gardening, and her cats. The two most important elements of her life were her faith and her family.

Maria entered her Eternal Life with Christ on Thursday, July 9th at the age of 89, surrounded by her family.

Friends and family are invited to her Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, July 16th at 1:00PM at St. Gertrude Catholic Church, 6543 Miami Ave. (45243) Madeira. Entombment will immediately follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in Maria’s memory may be directed to either  St. Gertrude Catholic Church, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or St. Gertrude School.