Marie Concetta (Ferrante) Maria

Portland-Marie Cecelia Concetta Ferrante Maria, known to her family and friends by her childhood name Dolly, passed away peacefully, at the age of 89, with her family at her bedside. 

Dolly was the youngest of eight children born to Sante’ and Elizabeth Ferrante, first generation Italian immigrants and she grew up on Middle street in the heart of Portland’s little Italy. The family did not have much, but what they had was shared with friends and neighbors, So it makes sense that the person Dolly became was one who possessed a generosity toward all. 

Dolly married Arthur J. Maria of Rumford, Maine, and they raised four children. She demonstrated her love with her hugs, her kisses and her cooking. Dolly’s dining table had room for everyone. Visitors often overflowed and children were sent to kitchen “kids table.” We kids all anticipated being able to work our way up to the big table. Dolly shared her recipes with only the people she trusted and gave food to all who visited her Ocean Avenue home of 63 years. Even the crossing guard had a taste of her anisette cookies. 

Looking her very best was important to our mother. She would never leave the house without having her hair done and wearing her makeup. 

Dolly had many talents, and worked outside the home as well, starting out at Songo Shoe factory, Portland City Hospital and she was able to showcase her cooking skills in her positions at the Village cafe and Giobbi’s restaurants, making all of the lasagnas, Parmesans,and meatballs. Dolly and her son Artie opened up a gourmet pasta sauce company named Bettina’s, named after her mother. 

Dolly is predeceased by her husband Arthur, and is survived by her children Jacqueline Maria, George and Pamela Maria, Artie Maria and Chris Maria and her three grandchildren John, Michael and Grace O’Brien. The family would like to thank Deb Roderick for her love and compassion. Deb was like her second daughter. 

A memorial will be scheduled and announced as soon as events permit.

To share memories of Dolly or to leave the family an online condolence please visit, www.athutchins.com

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