Maria Fucci Ormsby – 69 – of Brick Township, NJ, formerly of Hornell died Sunday (February 5, 2017) at Ocean Medical Center in Brick Township following a long illness.
Born in Hornell on February 16, 1947, she was the daughter of Anthony & Mary (Caruso) Fucci.
Maria grew up in Hornell and was a graduate of St. Ann’s School. She later graduated from Hornell High School (class of 1965). While living in Hornell, she was a communicant of
St. Ann’s Church.
Following her high school graduation, Maria moved to New Jersey where she attended Wilfred Academy in Newark, NY where she obtained her beautician / hairdresser license. For over 25 years she was employed as a receptionist at American Van Equipment in Lakewood, NY.
For many years, Maria was an extremely active member of The Church of the Visitation where she helped out in all aspects of the church such as fundraising and the day to day operation of the church.
Maria had an extreme love of cooking & baking and was known to be a “very active shopper”. She also had a deep love of music and especially enjoyed listening to classical music.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Clara Fucci who died at the age of three; her brother, Mike Fucci who died in 2012.
Surviving are 2 daughters, Tina Ormsby of Toms River, NJ and Bernadette Ormsby of Georgia; her grandchildren, Brandon Ellis, Maria hunter and Anthony Ellis; 1 great-granddaughter, Rozalin Schuler; 1 brother, Lenny (Diane) Fucci of Hornell; 2 sisters, Amelia Dempsey of Hamburg, NY and Marjorie (Jim) blowers of Swain; her sister-in-law, Linda Fucci of Hornell; several nieces, nephews & cousins.
Friends are invited to attend a Memorial Mass on Monday (February 13, 2017) at 10:00 AM at St. Ann’s Church. Final interment will be in St. Ann’s Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements are in care of the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.
Maria’s family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name be made to St. Ann’s Academy, PO Box 446, Hornell, NY 14843. Click here to print a memorial form.
When the movie West Side Story was released. Maria and I were both 14 years old.
All the beautiful sounds of the world in a single word….
Maria
Say it loud and there’s music playing
Say it soft and it’s almost like praying
Maria,
I’ll never stop saying
Maria
So then, in 1961, along with her incredible smile and winning personality, Maria also had her own song from one of the most popular movies of the year. I was jealous, especially since my only namesake was Nikki, Wild Dog of the North, also released in 1961.
Seriously, my memories of Maria are of a kind, loving, trusting and loyal friend. We had such great fun growing up, living across the street from each other, attending St. Ann’s School and Church and double sessions at Hornell High.
As we got older, we formed bonds with the boys from Alfred high school—all of whom I think were in love with Maria at one time or another. One of them confided in me that he thought Maria was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. Years later, when I told Mrs. Fucci that, it brought tears to her eyes.
One night when we were walking home from a high school event—Maria, Marie Bigger (Diestler), Joanne Caruso (LaVerde) and me (sorry if I left anyone out)—I looked down McDougal Avenue and saw a man slowly walking towards us. He had glasses on, shoes and socks and NOTHING ELSE! I couldn’t speak, but I pointed, yelled ‘run,’ and we all took off. We ran to my house, which was the closest, and Maria told my mother, who said it was probably a sleep walker as she and Maria burst out laughing. Eventually, we all came to see the humor in it.
Then there was the time I was sitting in the kitchen to the Fucci pizzeria while Maria was helping her mom by making pizzas. She trustingly asked me to turn away while she put the secret ingredient in the sauce. I said OK, but there was no way I was going to let this opportunity slip by. Mrs. Fucci’s pizza was legendary. I peeked. Maria caught me and was aghast! But she must have known how hard it would have been for me not to look, and she forgave me. I’ll carry the secret ingredient with me to the end.
There are so many memories. Pajama parties where we would sneak down to the Erie Depot in our pjs. Dancing in the Fox Hole. Sitting in the Classic over a small Coke for hours on end.
There have been long periods of time when Maria and I did not see each other, but then when we did, it was always the same. Our friendship never wavered. We were always comfortable with each other no matter how long it had been. Our emotions took us back to that safe spot of our youth in Hornell, a place she always loved and had such a connection to.
Maria was inspiring, like music. She was spiritual with deeply held beliefs. And so the words to the song Maria are right-on after all.
Maria. Say it loud and there’s music playing. Say it soft and it’s almost like praying.
Goodbye dear friend. I feel lucky to have known you.