Maria Vincenza (D'Ortenzio) DeLuca passed away on September 3, 2026, surrounded by her loving family, at the age of 89.

She was born in 1937 in Castiglione a Casauria, Province of Pescara, Italy, where she lived with her family before moving to America in 1949 at the age of 12. She resided in Wellesley, Massachusetts, with her family until marrying her husband, Pasquale DeLuca, in 1959.

Their family quickly grew as Maria and Pasquale welcomed seven children over the two decades that followed. With a house full of children and plenty of neighbors and friends flowing through the door, their home on Sherman Street in Natick was never quiet. Her kitchen was always the heart of their home, where Maria could be found cooking, baking, or having a cup of coffee with friends.

Known for her homemade Italian cookies and pasta, no one ever went hungry at the DeLucas'. If anyone walked through her front door feeling under the weather, she would have a bowl of “Italian penicillin,” also known as pastina, waiting for them at the table.

Maria was a longtime member of the Sons and Daughters of Italy in Natick, where she enjoyed socializing with her friends. There was nothing she enjoyed more than sharing a meal with friends and family while listening to Italian music.

Maria was a jack of all trades. From working as a seamstress at Queensland Robe, to working as a machinist at Avery Dennison, to coming home and caring for her seven children, she did it all.

At heart, Maria was an old-school Italian, a cherished mother, and a loving grandmother and great-grandmother. Above all, family was the center of her life.

Maria was the beloved wife of the late Pasquale DeLuca, devoted mother of Anthony and his wife Jane DeLuca of Franklin, James DeLuca of Dover, Donna DeLuca of Framingham, Maryanne and her husband Paul Gagel of Norton, Kathy DeLuca of Framingham, Pasquale Jr. and his wife Lisa DeLuca of Natick, and Beverly DeLuca of Framingham. She was the sister of the late Sabatino D'Ortenzio and Sabia (Domenica) Napoleone. She is also survived by her 12 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, extended family in Australia, and her “Irish Daughter,” Michelle Haswell of Natick.

Maria will forever be remembered for her famous saying: “La famiglia è tutto” 

Funeral from the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park St., NATICK COMMON, on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 9:00 am. Followed by a funeral Mass at St. Patrick Church, 44 E. Central St., Natick at 10:00 am. Interment at Glenwood Cemetery, Natick. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Visting Hours at the funeral home on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, from 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm.

For online guestbook and directions, please visit: www.everettfuneral.com