Maria Castagna Papadopoulos, a woman of boundless optimism and a heart that

knew no borders, passed away peacefully on March 2, 2026. Born in the picturesque

town of Capestrano, in the Abruzzo region of Italy, Maria carried the spirit of her

homeland with her when she made the courageous leap to immigrate to the United

States in 1967.

Settling in Mamaroneck, New York, Maria embodied the true spirit of the immigrant

journey. The countless childhood memories Maria shared with her siblings in Italy

formed the foundation of her character. She made the courageous leap to immigrate to

the United States, following her parent’s example, Emidio and Livia. She arrived as a

young woman seeking a new beginning, and through her hard work and unwavering

positivity, she turned that dream into a vibrant reality. Maria’s immigrant story was

woven deeply with those of her siblings, Floriana, twin brother John, and Lou.

Settling In Mamaroneck, they were each other’s constant strength, sharing a lifelong

bond that remained the heart of Maria’s world.

Maria is survived by her beloved husband, Anthimos; Maria’s life was defined by a

deep, radiant love. For 30 years, she was happily married to her husband, Anthimos. To

Anthimos, Maria was his entire world, and her presence made that world shine. She

also leaves behind her devoted sons, Vincenzo Di Carlo (and his ex-wife, Wendy) and

David Di Carlo (and his wife, Patrice) and her three stepchildren, Nikolas

Papadopoulos, Peter Papadopoulos and Anatolie Jacobson.

She was the cherished grandmother of seven: Trevor, Ryan, Daniel, Kaylei, Audriana,

Melissa, and Anthia. To Maria, family was defined by love, not labels, and she

embraced each of them with an open heart. Her unwavering devotion to her children

and grandchildren was centric to her being.

She was never one to shy away from a challenge or a new beginning. She was a risk-

taker in the best sense of the word—fearless in business and life, proving that with

enough grit, one could build a dream from the ground up.

Her career was as diverse as her talents: with an eye for beauty and detail. She began

as a skilled seamstress, then transitioning to becoming a beautician. True to her

entrepreneurial spirit, her path eventually culminated in her owning and operating a

beauty salon.

Known for her infectious "always positive attitude, Maria was a magnet for people. She

loved meeting new people and sharing her life stories. Whether she was exploring a

new destination or sitting around a table sharing a home cooked meal with family and

friends, her love for people made everyone feel like they belonged.

She leaves behind a legacy of resilience and a family that will forever be guided by her

light, her strength, and her reminder to always look toward the bright side of the horizon.