Maria Anna Grotjan was born on March 19, 1944, in Naples, Italy, and passed peacefully in her sleep on March 25, 2024, in Clermont, Florida. She is survived by her husband Ronald, her son Michael and daughter-in-law Veronica, her stepchildren Thomas and Kate, and her grandchildren Jacob and Waylon.

Maria was a wife, mother, and grandmother. She was born into a difficult time, at the end of and in the aftermath of WW2. She was raised in a convent in Naples, until she became an au pair for the de Luca family in her late teens. She developed a deep bond with the children she raised which lasted her entire life. She later met her first husband Richard, and emigrated to the United States, where she had her only son, Michael. Richard passed away when Michael was only 2, and Maria was put in the situation of raising a child all alone in a country she knew nobody in and barely able to speak English.

Through her faith in God and with the help of others, she persevered, doing whatever necessary to raise her son and provide him with a good life and a loving home. She was extremely proud of obtaining her U.S. citizenship in 1996.

In 1997, Maria's path crossed with Ron's, and their love story blossomed into marriage two years later. Together, they celebrated 25 years of love and companionship on March 11, 2024.

Maria never hesitated to share her opinions. She was loyal to her family and friends. She took care of the elderly, despite being exhausted after a hard day of work. She loved animals, especially cats, which held a special place in her heart. She loved her husband and his children, whom she raised as her own. She also loved her son, Michael, with all her heart, and did everything she could to provide a good life for him.

In 2022, Maria and Ron moved to Clermont, Florida so she could be closer to her son. He was the highlight of her life, and she was always proud, supportive, and encouraging with him. She was delighted to be able to spend her final years near him.

Maria's culinary talents were legendary, with her kitchen serving as a sanctuary of love and warmth for family and friends. Her self-taught skills in the kitchen were yet another example of how talented and special she was. While she could cook just about anything, her specialty was Italian food. She best expressed her love for others through her cooking. It was a place that truly brought her joy and happiness and everyone that ate her food left feeling the same.

Maria was truly the kind of person you were lucky to know. She leaves behind a legacy of love and kindness that will continue to inspire all who knew her. While she will be deeply missed, her spirit will live on in the hearts of those fortunate enough to have been touched by her love.