Maria (Chieffo) Orlando, 87, of Milford, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Cornerstone of Milford, following an illness. She was the beloved wife of the late Lawrence J. "Larry" Orlando, who died in 2013, and the mother of the late Joanne Orlando, who died in 1970.
Born August 1, 1936 in Gissi, Italy, a daughter of the late Agostino and Giovina (Basilico) Chieffo, she had lived in Queens, New York, and Toronto, Canada before settling in Franklin in the late 1960s.
Maria was raised and educated in Italy and was not only a devoted wife and mother but worked up until her early eighties as a produce clerk at Stop & Shop in Franklin.
She treasured time spent with her husband, children, and grandchildren, and took many trips back to her native Italy to visit her extensive family.
Known among family and friends as a wonderful and generous cook, she loved preparing Italian meals, and everyone was always welcome at her table. She also enjoyed gardening, both vegetables and flowers.
She is survived by her children, Grace O. Allen and her husband Gregory of Norfolk, Joseph A. Orlando and his wife Paola of Bellingham, and Joanne O. Pollard and her husband Mark of Woburn, as well as brothers Giuseppe Chieffo and Antonio Chieffo, and sisters Elisa Colantonio, Adriana Chieffo, Anna Litterio, and Lucia Di Fabio, all of Italy.
Also surviving are her grandchildren, Elizabeth, Christopher, and Andrew Allen; Matthew, Isabelle, and Sophie Pollard; and Luciana Orlando.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral on Friday, April 26, with visitation beginning at 9 a.m. in the Charles F. Oteri and Son Franklin Funeral Home, 33 Cottage St., followed by a funeral Mass in St. Mary's Church, Franklin, at 11 a.m. To view the Mass, stmarysfranklin.org
Burial will follow at the parish cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be sent to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1942.
Guestbook www.oterifuneralhome.com