Antonina Maceri

When Antonina Ciaramitaro was born on “Decoration Day”, (Memorial Day) May 30, 1921, in Royal Oak, Michigan, her father, Alessandro, who owned a grocery store, was 41, and her mother Paolina, a homemaker, was 30. Antonina, the baby of the family, was a brilliant student who was double promoted twice in elementary school and went on to graduate from Eastern High School in Detroit, Michigan. Sadly she never had the opportunity to go to college but she became an executive secretary to the Secretary of a bank. She loved her job in Downtown Detroit on Congress Street.

One wonderful day, a young handsome man named Phil, spotted Antonina at a bus stop on her way to work. Of all things, his uncle happened to know her family and an introduction was arranged. Six months later they were married on September 7, 1946. Antonina retired when she married, which was the custom of her culture and the era. She had five children with Philip Joseph Maceri; Sebastian Philip, Alexander Joseph, Anthony John, Antoinette Marie and Pauline Mary. Her children were very blessed to have a nurturing, devoted, and loving mother. Her cooking was sublime and her decorating made for a lovely comfortable home. At only 54 years old she was devastated to lose her husband Philip Joseph Maceri, age 58, rather suddenly. In 1983 she heartbreakingly lost her daughter Pauline who required Antonina and Philip’s care all of her 24 years of life. Suddenly, in 2018 Antonina suffered yet another crushing loss when her eldest son Sebastian died at 71 years old.

Antonina remained cognitively sharp, never missing an episode of Jeopardy. She worked the daily crossword puzzle and read book after book at alarming speed. Cooking shows and her magazine subscriptions were favorite pastimes. For the last five years of her life she lived happily with her son Alex and daughter-in-law Gail, as well as spending time at each of her children's homes. She was a wonderful grandmother to eight; Jennifer Lynn, Jeffery Allen, Daniel Lee, Philip Justin, Marco Alexander, Samantha Pauline, Christina Marie, and John Anthony.

She was a beloved great-grandma to nine; Alexandra Marie, Joshua Timothy, Donovan Joseph, Jasmine Nichaya, Anthony Andrew, Mira Celeste, Maximilian Michael, Sebastian Philip II, and Henry Stephen.

Visits from her children and grandchildren made her very happy.




Antonina Maceri (nee Ciaramitaro), passed away May 23, 2023, age 101.

Devoted spouse of the late Philip Joseph Maceri. Adored mother of the late Sebastian Philip (Julie), Alexander Joseph (Gail), Anthony John (Patricia), Antoinette Marie (Robert Cohen), and the late Pauline Mary. Treasured grandmother of Jennifer, Jeffery, Daniel, Philip, Marco, Samantha, Christina, and John. Adored great-grandmother of Alexandra, Joshua, Donovan, Jasmine, Anthony, Mira, Maximilian, Sebastian, and Henry. Beloved daughter of the late Alexander and Pauline La Rosa Ciaramitaro. Dearest youngest sister of the late Josephine Gravame DiPietro (Carmen Gravame and Angelo DiPietro), John (Molly), Frank (Dorothy), Frances D’Angelo (Anthony) and Anthony (Rosemary). Antonina was the last remaining member of her family of origin. Aunt of many deeply loved nieces and nephews.

Visitation Tuesday, May 30, 2023 from 2:00 pm - 8:00 pm with a Rosary at 7:00pm at Bagnasco & Calcaterra Funeral Home, 25800 Harper Ave, St. Clair Shores.

Funeral Mass Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at 9:00 am with Instate at 8:30 am at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 6021 Whittier, Detroit.

Burial at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.