Maria A. Fossella Spano

June 21, 1932 ~ February 24, 2025

Newburgh, NY

Maria A. Fossella Spano of Newburgh was called home to Heaven with her family beside her on February 24, 2025. She was 92.
The daughter of the late Giuseppe Polera and Caterina Barone, she was born on June 21, 1932 in San Vito  Sullo Ionio, Calabria, Italy.

Maria worked as a seamstress at Ro-Tarr Fashions in Newburgh. She was a strong, caring woman who overcame many adversities in her life always turning to God and her family for strength.

Maria was a parishioner of Sacred Heart Church and a member of Catholic Daughters.

She is survived by her daughter, Rosa Fossella Retamozo (Mario); granddaughter, Andrea Stewart who along with her husband Chris gave the most loving care to their grandmother; great grandchildren: Ethan, Adam and Brady Stewart all of Newburgh; a sister, Rosa Polera of Italy; sister-in-law, Margot Burgess (Rich); nieces: Maria Fossella Dyseven (Robert DiMarco), Maria Ciraco (Antonio), Lisa Polera Vataj (Wilson) and Santina Polera; nephews: Joseph Fossella (Tina Su), Giuseppe Ciraco, and Sean Burgess (Cindy); great niece, Delilah Vataj; great nephews: Alexander Fossella, Carlo Brancatella, Nicholas Vataj, Pierre-Luigi Ciraco and Dillon Burgess; and her best friends: Josephine Mamazza and Filomena Buda who were always at her side through happy and sad times.

She was predeceased by her husband Ralph Fossella; her brother Ralph Polera; and her niece Catherine Fossella as well as other family members both in the US  and Italy.

Visitation will be held on Monday, March 3rd, at Brooks Funeral Home from 11:30 AM ~ 12:30 PM. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at Sacred Heart Church at 1 PM, followed by burial at Calvary Cemetery.