Maria Cirincione

Maria Cirincione, 92, of Highland passed away on June 12, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. A devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Maria leaves behind a legacy of love, faith, and family bonded together over incredible meals around her table.

She is survived by her children, Rosemary Mouratides (John), Linda Hojnicki (Peter), and Angelo Cirincione (Danielle) as well as eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by the love of her life, Rosario Cirincione, who is waiting in heaven to welcome her with open arms and a full-voiced love song that will undoubtedly embarrass her just a little bit.

Maria and Rosario (lovingly known as Nonna and Nonno to their grandkids) emigrated from Gratteri, Sicily in the 1950s to live the American dream. Nonno found a career as an x-ray welder at Union Tank and Nonna became a seamstress in a slacks factory. They moved from East Chicago to Highland where they raised their three kids, instilling lessons of hard work and the importance of family in their children and grandchildren. Whatever work there was to be done – we did it together. We cleaned the Smith-Victor office buildings on weekends together. We made wine and sausage and cheese together. We built houses together. We picked and canned tomatoes together. We gardened and tended the fig trees together. We made tortellacci at Christmas and pupi cu l’ova at Easter together. We had family dinner every Sunday. Together.

When Nonna wasn’t busy feeding one of us, she enjoyed crocheting and watching her favorite cooking shows, especially Julia Child and Lidia Bastianich.

Her grandchildren will remember Nonna as the kindest, most loving grandmother a kid could ever wish for. She made the best pasta, she gave the best back scratches, she was the best person, and we will miss her more than words can say.

A Visitation will be held on Monday, June 15, 2026 at 10:00 am followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 am. Both will be held at St. James the Less Catholic Church, 9640 Kennedy Ave, Highland, IN 46322.

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