Maria (Virone) LaPorta, 89, of Niagara Falls, NY passed away on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 at Niagara Hospice House in Lockport, NY. Born in Montaperto, Sicily, Italy she was the daughter of the late Alfonso and Antonina (DiCarlo) Virone.

Maria was educated in Italy. On November 17, 1946 she married Gerlando LaPorta in Montaperto, Sicily, Italy and in 1956 immigrated to the United States and settled in Niagara Falls where she currently resided. Mr. LaPorta predeceased her on January 16, 2000. Maria was employed as a cook at the Como Restaurant for twenty years. She and her husband were longtime active members of the Walnut Avenue Christian Church in Niagara Falls. She enjoyed cooking, knitting, sewing, crocheting and needlepoint but above all, Maria's life centered around her family.

Maria is survived by two sons Joseph (Suzanne) LaPorta and Alfonso (Kathleen) LaPorta; four grandchildren Gerald (Addie) LaPorta, Nicholas (Allison) LaPorta, Michael LaPorta and Christina LaPorta; four great grandchildren Blaire, Violet, Nicholas Wyatt and Olivia LaPorta; three sisters Domenica (late Francesco) Iacono, Anna (late Francesco) Pilato, Giuseppina (Salvatore) Baio; one brother Salvatore (Santa) Virone and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by one brother Calogero (Maurizia) Virone and two sisters Rose (late Gaetano) Cipolla, Carmela (late Vincenzo) Galvano.

Visitation will be on Sunday from 1 – 4 and 6 – 8 p.m. at the
M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 MILITARY ROAD, NIAGARA FALLS, NY where funeral services will be held on Monday, August 22nd at 10 a.m. Interment in Oakwood Cemetery, Niagara Falls. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Niagara Hospice Inc., 4675 Sunset Drive, Lockport, NY 14094.