New Jersey Star Ledger©....Oct 7, 2011....07:00 AM.......


 With very heavy hearts, we would like to announce the passing of Maria Augusta Cicchino. She was nearly 77 years old. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Quintino, four children, Felice, Antonio(&Laurie), Robert and Maria, two grandchildren, Anthony Joseph and Leslie Anne, two great grandchildren, Leylanie and Leyla, three sisters, Bianca, Iole, and Victoria, and many other cousins, nieces and nephews.

A Brief Biography of a Wonderful Life

Maria Augusta was born in Italy in late 1934 and was raised during the war-torn years of World War II. She was the oldest of four sisters. She would often have to gather her sisters and what food she could find and head for the mountains during air-raids of the Italian villages. Her mother would feed and shelter many of the children around the neighborhood, as her family had a little more than most back then. It was in these years that Maria acquired her fearlessness and leadership - attributes she would carry with her the rest of her life.

After the liberation of Europe, Maria Augusta would learn two of her trademark skills: cooking and sewing. Her mother Anna, a gifted cook and seamstress, taught Maria her secrets, just as her own mother did a generation before. Maria's father Umberto, a retired soldier, store owner and member of the city council, sent her to school to learn how to be a professional dress maker. Maria would later earn a living as a skilled seamstress and a reputation as a great cook.

As unbelievable as it sounds, Maria met her future husband and soul mate for life when she was just 3 years old. A 7 year-old boy named Quintino Cicchino, whose family lived close by in the village, was walking past Umberto's house one day in 1938 when he saw young Maria standing in the doorway. This was the beginning of a love story that would not end until 2011.

With jobs hard to find in Europe after the war, Quintino left for America in 1953 on the well-known ship Andrea Doria, to live with his Uncle Felice and Aunt Carmela, who had come to America about 35 years before him. Quintino worked as a truck builder while studying for a profession in electronics. He returned for Maria a short time later. They were married in Italy in August of 1954. Quintino returned to America to continue his work and studies, and Maria followed him in 1955 to begin their new life together in the Land of Opportunity.

For a little more than a decade, Maria and Quintino lived in Kearny, New Jersey, where in the early 1960's, all four of their children were born. In 1966, they bought their first house in Cheesequake, New Jersey, or what is now Old Bridge. In 1972, they moved to the historical city of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, where Maria lived out the remainder of her life. She worked for many years as a seamstress there, while Quintino worked in the electronics field. She was a member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church on Rector Street, where in 1978, she won the Mother of the Year Award. (Of course, we are biased and believe she should have won "Mother of the Century.")

In 1982, Maria Augusta would return to the land of her birth for the first time in 27 years. Many friends and relatives in Guasto and the other villages of Castel Petroso, as well as in nearby cities, were excited by the news of Maria's return home, and anxiously awaited the moment. Upon her arrival, she was treated like a celebrity and a huge celebration had begun. During her visit, the Italian soccer team won the World Cup, which was additional reason to celebrate. Maria's father Umberto said that her return to Italy had brought them good luck. From 1991 to 2008, Maria would return to Italy 6 more times. In 2000, she went to see her father shortly before his death, at age 90. In 2008, she went to see her mother one last time before her death the following year, at age 95.

One of Maria's great passions was gardening. She loved to plant flowers and watch them grow like her own children. She had beautiful ones growing this year; they were especially bright and colorful. Many people who visited her house would compliment her on how lovely they were. Maria didn't limit her botanical talent to the outdoors; she also had a nice array of indoor plants that she nurtured on a daily basis. (We are all grateful for the extra oxygen they provide.) Another love of hers was watching and feeding the many species of birds that live around the house and in the state of New Jersey. She also loved to cook for and take care of her family, as she was selfless and didn't care much for material things. She was always strong, compassionate, energetic, positive, and had a zest for life. She lived happily in Perth Amboy up to the time of her death.

Maria Augusta Cicchino went to meet her maker at 10:00 PM on Sunday, September 18th, after succumbing to leukemia. Her courageous battle in the face of adversity will forever be an inspiration to us all. She went peacefully in her sleep with family beside her. She will be dearly missed by all whose life she touched, and we are sure she misses all of you for touching her life in some way, no matter how small. We knew this moment would come one day, and now that it has, there is an emptiness in our hearts and family that can never be filled. Please sign the registry book and light a candle for Maria Augusta.

Sincerely,
The Cicchino Family

Maria Augusta's Life Statistics
Birthday:	December 19th, 1934
Place of Birth:	Guasto, Castel Petroso, CampoBasso, Italy
Parents:	Umberto D'Uva, Anna Martella D'Uva
Sisters:	Bianca, Iole, Victoria
Husband:	Quintino Cicchino
Children:	Felice, Antonio(& Laurie), Robert, Maria
Grandchildren:	Anthony Joseph, Leslie Anne
Great Grandchildren:	Leylanie Faith, Leyla Eve,
Came to America:	1955	What Things Cost in 1955 Car: $1,950 Gasoline: 29 cents/gal House: $17,500 Bread: 18 cents/loaf Milk: 92 cents/gal Postage Stamp: 3 cents Stock Market: 488 Avg Annual Salary: $5,000 Minimum Wage: 75 cents/hr
Occupation:	Seamstress
Hobbies:	Cooking & Baking, Plants & Gardening, Bird Feeding, Knitting
Residency:	Perth Amboy, N.J.
Religion:	Episcopal Catholic, St. Peter's Church, Perth Amboy, NJ
Date of Passing:	September 18th, 2011

All that you touch
All that you see
All that you taste
All you feel.
All that you love
All that you hate
All you distrust
All you save.
All that you give
All that you deal
All that you buy,
beg, borrow or steal.
All you create
All you destroy
All that you do
All that you say.
All that you eat
And everyone you meet
All that you slight
And everyone you fight.
All that is now
All that is gone
All that's to come
and everything under the sun is in tune
but the sun is eclipsed by the moon.

"The size of your heart is not measured by how much YOU love, but by how much you are loved by others."

-- The Wizard of Oz to the Tin Man

......A message from a Son......
Dear mother, today I start the rest of my life without you. This wont be easy. I will always cherish the memories I have of you, and how you were always there at the hardest times in my life. You loved the simple things in life, the flowers, the rain, taking care of family. I will miss our frequent talks, but I know you are in a better place, you must be. I hope you had a great life, because you sure gave me one. I will always love you and never forget you. You were the fearless leader, the matriarch of our family. You left your Italian homeland after the war, to find a better way in America, a place totally foreign but one you made your own. You never complained, even when you were in pain, you never asked for anything as material things were insignificant. I never thought you would be taken from us so early, but I guess it's a part of life. Rest in peace Ma, you deserve it.
..........Your Beloved Son Antonio