Maria Melchionne
Maria Jose Azinheira Viegas Melchionne, 77, of Stamford, CT passed away peacefully on
October 30th, 2023 surrounded by her children, Diane and Danny, and husband, Richard. Maria
was born in Pechão, Portugal on March 19th, 1946 to the late Irene & Firmino Viegas.
Maria grew up in Olhão, Portugal, and traveled around the world, living in places like Angola,
Belgium and the UK, before settling down in Stamford, CT where she met her husband, Richie,
and they raised their family together. An energetic and fearless woman, Maria will always be
remembered as somebody who loved her family dearly and would help anyone in need. As a
home daycare provider for more than 30 years, there was nothing more that she loved than
caring for, loving, and helping to raise children.
Maria is survived by her devoted husband, Richie of Stamford, her loving children, Danny of
Stamford, and Diane and her husband Anthony of Stamford, and her beautiful grandchildren,
Theodore Melchionne, and Rylynn and Anthony Pagano. She is also survived by her brother,
Jose Firmino Viegas of Olhão, Portugal, and her nieces Eni Viegas of Olhão, Portugal & Ligia
Viegas of Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Besides her parents, Maria is also predeceased by her brother Firmino Nazianzo.
Family and friends may call at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle
Avenue, Stamford on Sunday, November 5th, from 2 to 6 p.m. On Monday, November 6th, a
funeral mass will take place at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 37 Schuyler Avenue in
Stamford. The inurnment will follow mass at St. John Cemetery in Darien. In lieu of flowers, the
family requests that you hold your loved ones and tell them you love them.