Maria Mariani Luciani, 89, of Dunmore, passed peacefully into the hands of the Lord on Sunday, June 1, 2025, after a short stay at Dunmore Health Care Center. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 57 years, Raffaele Luciani, originally of Sigillo, Italy. Maria was a long time member of Saints Anthony and Rocco Parish in Dunmore.

Born in Purello, Italy, on October 17, 1935, she was the daughter of Attilio Mariani and Rosa Spigarelli of Borghetto, Italy. Maria married Raffaele on December 8, 1956. In 1961, with few belongings and no knowledge of English, she emigrated to the United States with her husband, their two-year-old son, and six-month-old daughter, seeking a better life for their family.

In America, she dedicated herself to raising her three children. In 1977, when her husband suffered a serious injury at work, Maria not only became a pillar of emotional strength for her family, but also entered the workforce to support them. With determination and a strong work ethic, she continued working into her early 70s before retiring.

In addition to working, Maria was always available to help her children and grandchildren—whether mending clothes, painting a house, or cooking her beloved pasta and pizza sauces for anyone who asked. She was known for her wry sense of humor and her quick, generous laughter.

Maria made frequent trips with family to her homeland to visit family and friends there, but she always happy to return to her adopted country, which she deeply loved for the opportunities it had provided her children and grandchildren.

Family was at the center of Maria's life. She especially cherished Sunday afternoons and Wednesday nights, when she would cook for her children and grandchildren—often serving as many as 15 loved ones at her table.  And even when she was living at Glenmaura her family would bring meals to share with her every Sunday.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to all who supported Maria in her later years. Special gratitude goes to her eldest granddaughter, Anna Cancelli, for her tireless and loving care when Maria lived next door, and to her daughter, Luciana, for the devoted care she gave her mother during the COVID-19 years in Peckville.

Maria is survived by her youngest sister, Margherita Cippiciani of Saint-Martin-de-Crau, France; her three children, Stephen Luciani and wife, Marie, of Scranton; Luciana Cancelli and husband, Dante, of Peckville; and Robert Luciani and wife, Heather, of Dunmore; and seven grandchildren: Stephen Luciani Jr. and wife, Sara, of New York City; Deanna Kelley and husband, Peter, of Philadelphia; Nina Walker and husband, Michael, of Devon; Nicholas Luciani of Philadelphia; Anna Cancelli and husband Timothy Johnstone of Dunmore; Gianna Cancelli of Dunmore; and Isabella Luciani of Pittsburgh. She is also survived by three great grandchildren, Charlotte Walker and Dean Walker of Devon and Rowan Kelley of Philadelphia.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, June 7, at 9:30 a.m. at Saints Anthony and Rocco Parish, 303 Smith Street, Dunmore.  Those planning on attending the funeral are asked to go directly to the church. Interment will follow at the Italian-American Cemetery, Cemetery Avenue, Scranton.

In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation in Maria's name to Hospice of the Sacred Heart at 30 E D Preate Drive, Moosic, Pennsylvania 18507.

Arrangements have been made by LaBelle Funeral Home, Todd LaBelle Funeral Director.

Online condolences can be sent to todd@morelllabellefuneralhome.com