Margaret Ricioppo Mazza

Margaret Mary Mazza passed away on March 9, 2026, surrounded by her loving husband, children, and grandchildren. Born on June 3, 1942, in Far Rockaway, Long Island, New York, she grew up in Inwood with her parents, Anna and Joseph Ricioppo, and her siblings, Mary Anne and Joseph. She attended Our Lady of Good Counsel School and Stella Maris Catholic High School, graduating in June 1960.

Margaret met the love of her life, Frank Mazza, during her final year of high school after being introduced by his cousin, Johanna Mazza. They dated for four years before marrying on June 6, 1964. She worked for the New York Telephone Company and shared her musical talents by playing the piano at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church for Mass and other services. In October 1965, the birth of their first son marked the beginning of her greatest vocation as a mother. She and Frank raised five children—Frank, Michael, Joan, John, and Jennifer—creating a stable and loving home while supporting them in all their activities.

In February 1997, Margaret and Frank welcomed the first of their 18 grandchildren, and gathering her entire family of 30 for holidays, birthdays, and special occasions brought her immense joy. A woman of deep faith, she held a special devotion to the Blessed Mother and lived her faith through decades of service at Prince of Peace Catholic Church. She was active in the Altar Guild and Funeral Ministry, and for more than 40 years she led the Altar Purificator team, growing it to more than 50 members. She and Frank also coordinated the parish’s Welcome Sunday for many years.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Anna Ricioppo, and her sister, Sr. Marcellus (Mary Anne) Ricioppo. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Frank Mazza; her children, Frank (Bridget) Mazza, Michael (Heather) Mazza, Joan (Dave) Heinrich, John (Denise) Mazza, and Jennifer (Linh) Nguyen; her grandchildren, Kaitlin, Allison, Michelle (Michael), Elena (Chanler), Erin, Peter, Claire, Ryan, Lidia, Mark, Teresa, Matthew, Emily, Nina, Haley, Stephen, Luke, and Andrea; and her brother, Joseph (Pat) Ricioppo.