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Maria Rosa Zefelippo (Leporace)

Maria Rosa Zefelippo passed away on January 23, 2023 at the age of 95.  She was the beloved wife of the late Count Sergio C. Zefelippo, Sr.  Loving mother of Prof. Sergio Zefelippo, Jr., Eugenio Ralph Zefelippo (Joanne) and Roxane Linda Henning (David).  Dearest grandmom of Martin Richard Zefelippo (Christine), Nicholas Pio Zefelippo, David Donald Henning, Jr., Maria Rosa Zefelippo and Gabrielle Rose Henning.  Dear great grandmom of Olivia Rose Zefelippo.

At only about 5 feet tall, Mom managed to be “bigger” than all of us.  Whether you knew her as Grandma, Mom, Maria, Rosa, Rosetta, Rosy or just Mrs. Z., she was unforgettable. She was born in Roggiano Gravina (CS) Italy where she lived into her late teens when the family took the journey across the ocean joining their father in the United States.  As fate would have it, she met her husband of nearly 50 years at his father’s funeral and fell in love, marrying shortly thereafter in both Italy and the United States.  Beginning their family in Penn’s Grove NJ, they later made their home in the Oxford Circle area of Philadelphia for many years until moving to their forever home in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania where they resided with their three children. Later in life she would become a grandmother of five and great-grandmother as well.

To say she was a good cook would be a gross understatement; she was able to put out a spread of excellent and homemade food at a moment’s notice often welcoming anyone to her table for homemade wine and good conversation.  Her Espresso with Anisette could never be beat after a hearty meal.  She canned her own tomatoes each year in large quantities and she had a vegetable/herb garden that would put most people to shame all through her life and well into her late eighties. 

Her number one priority and source of joy was always her family who she staunchly protected, encouraged and loved fiercely.  She gave her full devotion to all that she did while being generous and giving with a fun-loving spirit.  She enjoyed visiting her many relatives and friends in Italy, traveling the world and spending time at the shore and in Clearwater Beach, Florida where she had residences. Recently turning 95, she lived a full life and experienced a great deal of history.  She passed away peacefully at home with her loving family surrounded by love, memories and the people she loved so well.

Relatives and friends are invite to call Saturday, January 28th, from 9:30 to 10:30am at Immaculate Conception Church, 606 West Avenue, Jenkintown PA 19046.  Her Funeral Mass will follow at 10:30am.  Interment SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Springfield PA.

In lieu of flowers the family would prefer donations to the National Shrine of St. Padre Pio.

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Service/Memorial Information
  • Visitation

    Saturday, January 28th, 2023
    9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

    Immaculate Conception Church
    602 West Ave
    Jenkintown, PA 19046

  • Funeral Mass

    Saturday, January 28th, 2023
    10:30 AM

    Immaculate Conception Church
    602 West Ave
    Jenkintown, PA 19046

  • Interment

    Saturday, January 28th, 2023

    Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery
    1600 S. Sproul Road
    Springfield, PA 19064

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