Maria Rose Zema Serpe of New Rochelle, New York, passed away on Oct. 16, 2022.

Maria was born in Greenwich, Connecticut, on Aug. 13, 1922, to Frank and Rose Zema. She lived a full and amazing life of 100 years. Maria was full of life until her last breath!

Maria met and married the love of her life, the late Alfred “Bing” Serpe. Together they had one son, the late Richard Serpe.

Maria wore many hats. Maria worked as a telephone operator, and she was a World War II enemy place spotter. Maria was president of the North Pelham Women’s Republican Club; she was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Pelham Civics Association.

Maria loved to cook and was an amazing baker. She will be fondly remembered for her memorable hello and goodbye kiss. It was never just one; it was 4 or 5 in a row.

Maria will be remembered as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, relative and wonderful friend. Maria will be missed by all and should be remembered as a caring and loving woman who loved life… and life loved her back.

Maria is survived by her granddaughter, Maria Ohman and her husband Michael; grandson Tony Serpe and his wife Shulen; her four grandchildren, Richard, Annmarie, Gina and Joseph Serpe; her great grandchildren, Nicholas and Andrew Serpe; her nieces, Camile Riccobono, Joanne Valentini (Italo), Robert Hubertus (Joanne), and her nephews, Joseph and John and many other grandnieces and grandnephews.

Maria is further survived by her loving nephew Anthony Riccobono, who stepped in to care for Maria after the passing of his father, Joseph Riccobono.

Maria is predeceased by her husband Alfred “Bing” Serpe and their son Richard Serpe.

A celebration of Maria’s life will take place at the Pelham Funeral Home located at 64 Lincoln Ave., Pelham, New York, on Friday, October 21, 2022, between the hours of 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will take place at the Blessed Sacrament Church, located at 15 Shea Place, New Rochelle, New York, 10801. Interment will follow at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery.

Editor’s note: This obituary was provided by the Pelham Funeral Home.