Mary Ann (Cieri) Zunino

Mary Ann and Franco Zunino's love story began at Saint Leonard Prince of Peace, the Franciscan run parish in Boston's North End. Franco traveled to Boston from his work as an ER doctor and surgeon at the Cabrini Medical Center in New York to visit his uncle, a friar at the church. On his visit he was invited to view a slideshow of a recent pilgrimage that parishioners made to Our Lady of Guadalupe. Franco saw Mary Ann in the slideshow and impressed upon his uncle that he needed to meet the beautiful young woman in one of the slides. After a world wind courtship, Mary Ann and Franco married on June 17, 1973 at The Church of Saint Luke in Belmont.

Franco, who also had a small clinic in his hometown of Genzano, Italy brought his young bride to Italy with the intension of closing the practice and returning soon to Boston. Sadly, his parents both fell gravely ill and in order to help care for them, Franco accepted work in a hospital in the nearby Italian city of Matera. Franco subsequently became Chief of the Geriatrics department. Mary Ann lovingly stood by his side for twenty years patiently waiting to return home to the States. Every summer the family returned to Watertown, MA to spend time with Mary Ann's mother. While in Italy, Mary Ann learned to speak perfect Italian and became an extraordinary cook.

Mary Ann was born on December 14, 1945 a daughter of the late Michael and Concetta (Cella) Cieri. Mary Ann graduated from the Boston Academy of Notre Dame, a school honoring the teachings of Saint Julie Billiart. She then worked over ten years as a supervisor in the fraud prevention department for the former National Shawmut Bank of Boston. After marriage Mary Ann dedicated her time and work to building and sustaining a vibrant family, works of charity, and care for others.

During their time in Italy, Mary Ann and Franco filled shipping containers full of food, supplies, medicines and well digging equipment for Franco's missionary friends spread out throughout all of Africa. Mary Ann loved animals and maintained a cat colony for the neighborhood strays. Talented in the kitchen, she remained true to her Italian heritage and loved preparing meals for family and friends. While living in Italy, every Saturday night after church, she made pizza for her children and their friends. Twenty years later the family finally returned to the States in order for the children to attend US schools. Mary Ann always welcomed guests. She fed countless home sick students from every corner of the world. There was always room at her table to squeeze in a few more. When her grandson Alessio was born, she cherished the role of grandmother more than anything.

Mary Ann died at home with her family gathered at her side on Saturday, November 14, 2020. She was 74.

In addition to her husband of 47 years, Franco, Mary Ann leaves her children, Julie C. Zunino of Waltham and Henry M. Zunino of Watertown; her son-in-law Rick Baggio of Waltham, married to Julie, her grandson, Alessio F. Baggio of Waltham; her brother, Anthony Cieri of Hingham; a cousin, whom she considered a sister, Barbara Colantuoni (Mario) and their son, Vincent, all of West Roxbury; cousins Rebecca Fontes and Richard A. Fontes of Natick and their late mother, Elaine Paternese Fontes who was also like a sister to her.

Family and friends will honor and remember Mary Ann's life by gathering on Friday, November 20th in Ridgelawn Cemetery, Stuart Street, Watertown, where her graveside service will be held at 12 Noon. There are no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers memorials in her name may be made to either the MSPCA - Angell, 350 South Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02130 or www.mspca.org or The Greater Boston Food Bank, Attn: Accounting, 70 South Bay Avenue, Boston, MA 02118 or www.gbfb.org