Maria D. Mecca

Following months of declining health, Maria Mecca died peacefully Wednesday, September 22, 2010. She was 75 years old. Born on June 29, 1935 to Rose Marie and Anthony Rao, Maria grew up in Scranton, Pennsylvania with her family including her beloved sisters, Nancy and Cathy and brother, Anthony. She later met and married William A. Mecca Jr., her spouse of 55 years, and started her family as one of the first residents in Bowie, Maryland. Known to her family as Gram or Grammy, she was a loving and supportive mother and devoted grandmother. Maria was a passionate nurse who was committed to the loving care of newborns, many of who were at risk, during her career at Providence Hospital in Washington, DC. She is survived by her husband, Bill, her four children, Rosemarie Mecca (Carl Gross), Billy (Jeanne), Cathy Mecca-Gallagher (John) and Michael (Mary) and eight beautiful grandchildren who range in age from 8 to 26 years. Memorial services will be held at the Sacred Heart Chapel, Bowie, Maryland, on October 1, 2010 at 11 am. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Hospice of the Chesapeake, 445 Defense Highway, Annapolis MD 21401.