Maria Teresa LaPiana's Obituary
Maria Teresa LaPiana, of Philadelphia, passed into Heaven on August 8, 2022, at age 70. Born in Brooklyn, NY, to the late Frank and Rita (Petrillo) LaPiana, she was a gifted artist who devoted many years to teaching art in NYC public schools.
Maria was the beloved wife of James Blanchard Sr. for 50 years; cherished mother of James Blanchard Jr. (Sandra) and Juliette Shin (John); dear sister of Laura Simonsen and Fran Gibson; loving grandmother of Alexis Martinez, Dylan Espinoza, and a baby girl on the way; Maria is also survived by many extended family members, friends, and her beloved pets, Sunny, ButterBean, Xena, and Ginger, who will miss her tremendously.
In the last two years of her life, Maria had a difficult journey yet courageous and resilient fight against ovarian cancer. She was kind, forgiving, generous, creative, honest, and faithful. She loved flowers, nature, literature, poetry, dance, music, and learning. She loved life and those she shared it with. Her smile was so bright. She loved to laugh. She brought much joy and laughter to others. She is and was a child of God who faithfully prayed daily. The pain of her loss is immeasurable.
What’s your fondest memory of Maria?
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