Marianna 'Maria' Soldano, 62, of Niagara Falls, NY, passed away on November 4, 2020 at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital in Amherst, NY.  Born in Baucina, Sicily, Italy, she was the daughter of the late Ciro and Pietra (Oddo) LaBabara.

Maria came to the United States with her family at the age of 14.  On September 4, 1977, she married Jack Soldano in New York City.  Maria was employed at Newtown High School in Queens as a Teacher's Aide, and with the Italian Broadcasting Company, RAI, as an executive secretary.  Maria and her family came to the Niagara Falls Area in the late 1990's and opened Casa Antica Restaurant - which they continue to operate today in Lewiston, NY.   Maria's recipe was the basis for their famous award winning Arancini (Rice Balls) and she was the driving force behind their annual St. Joseph's Table celebration.  She was most recently employed as a cashier at the Seneca Niagara Casino.

Maria will be remembered most for the tremendous love that she had for her family, especially her grandchildren.  She enjoyed playing cards with friends, watching Italian and American reality television shows and soap operas, cooking, and cleaning.  She was an avid Italian soccer fan, especially of Juventus.  Above all, she was the backbone of her family and will be dearly missed.

In addition to her husband of 43 years, Maria is survived by her children, Angela (Giuseppe) Bellanca and Calogero 'Charlie' Soldano (Alexa Bowman); her grandchildren, Valentina Bellanca, Cristina Bellanca and Giuseppe Bellanca, Jr.; her sister, Francesca (Giuseppe) Gagliano, her best friend Connie Bellavia, as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends both here and in Italy.  She was predeceased by her brother, Giuseppe (Anna) LaBabara.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 8 from 3 – 7 PM at M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 MILITARY ROAD, NIAGARA FALLS, NY 14304.  Maria's Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday at 11 AM at St. Peter's R.C. Church, 620 Center Street, Lewiston, NY, 14092.  Everyone please assemble at church.  Entombment in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lewiston, NY.   Visit mjcoluccifuneralchapel.com for online condolences.