Maria Penna

It is with great sadness that we had to say goodbye to our Mom, Nonna and Bis Nonna, Maria Penna on February 15th 2024 just 5 days short of her 94th birthday.  She was born on February 20th, 1930 to Francesco and Palma (Cristelli) Squillace in Chiaravalle Centrale, Prov. Catanzaro, Italy where she spent most of her young life with her parents and four siblings.  She immigrated to the United States in 1958 to reunite with her husband, Francesco Penna.  Together they raised a family of 5 children, 8 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

Maria was very passionate about her family and making sure they were well fed.  Especially on Sunday’s where she mastered the art of cooking for a houseful of 25+.   She fed many of our friends who would “drop by” for her famous meatballs and chicken cutlets.  Maria was also a master baker making cookies for every occasion including First Fridays at the New Britain Museum of American Art.  She loved to try new recipes and was not afraid to cook something from other cultures. When she wasn’t creating in the kitchen, she was tending to her healthy vegetable garden, babysitting her grandchildren and watching the birds and squirrels eat the treats she would leave for them.   She was an avid animal lover who enjoyed spending time with all the family cats and dogs throughout the years.

Maria will be greatly missed by her three sons, Nicola Penna (Josephine), Frank Penna (Gloria), Anthony Penna (Marsha), and two daughters, Anna Marchese and Palma Penna-Verrillo (Vincent), her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews in the US, Italy and Canada.  She is also survived by her sister Francesca Macri in Italy.  She was predeceased by her husband Francesco, her son-in-law Ettore Marchese, two sisters and a brother in Italy.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 20th, 2024 at 11 AM at St. Ann Church, St. Joachim Parish, 101 North St., New Britain.  Burial will follow at St. Mary Cemetery. Calling hours will be held Tuesday morning from 9:00 to 10:30 AM at Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home, 411 So. Main St., New Britain.