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Maria Piluso Obituary

Devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend and patriot: Maria Piluso, 87 years old, passed away on Easter Sunday (April 8, 2012) while a rehabilitation resident at the Life Care Center of Colorado Springs, exactly 28 years to the day after her husband passed away. A fifty-six year resident of Security, Maria was born January 23, 1925 in Bergamo, Italy; widowed after 30 years of marriage to the late SSG (Ret.) Raymond J. Piluso, Sr. She is survived by brothers Silvo and Giuseppe Valenti, and sister Janet (Valenti) Angelini; who reside in France. Beloved mother to four sons: Christian Valenti and wife Ada; Raimondo Piluso, Jr. and wife Bettie; Rodolfo Piluso and wife Rebecca; Mario Piluso and wife Kristin. Maria is the devoted grandmother of 12 awesome grandchildren: Maria Valenti, Christian C. Valenti, Raimondo Piluso III, Rosanna Piluso, Melissa Mitton, Rory Piluso, Angela Walter, Danielle Piluso, Katina Piluso, John Piluso, Michelle Piluso, and Neena Piluso. She is also the graciously loving Great-Grandmother of 8 incredible great-grandchildren: Nicholas Chisholm; Cailean Chisholm; Aubree Mendez; Cindy Arias; Ariana Walter; Breaden Mitton; Hunter Walter; and Savanna Mitton. The true immigrant patriot, Maria devoted her life to service of her adopted country and the community that she loved. She cherished and devoted her life to service to others and the ideals for which America stood for. A consummate supporter of our military and their families, she was extremely very proud of the military and veterans service provided by her late husband, sons, granddaughter and grandsons. Maria spent tens of thousands of volunteer hours in local military hospitals; at the Peterson AFB Thrift Shop; in local nursing homes; at the Fountain Valley Senior Citizens Center; mentoring in District 3 schools; in numerous American Legion projects; decades of service through the VFW Auxiliary; and leading bingo through the VFW and The REA. Maria received numerous awards for service by many of the organizations she served. Entrepreneur and devoted business woman, Maria and her husband owned and operated two successful businesses: Piluso's Spaghetti and Steak House in Manitou Springs and Odell's House of Pizza in Stratmoor Hills. Retired from food service management after working many years with Army and Air Force Exchange Service, Maria was repeatedly recognized for her leadership and personnel management skills. Traveled widely in Europe and throughout America, Maria also enjoyed many hobbies including spending time and teaching her grandchildren board games. Visitors may express their condolences on Friday, April 13, 2012, from 5 - 7 pm at the Shrine of Remembrance, 1730 E. Fountain Blvd., Colorado Springs. There will be a recitation of the Catholic Rosary following the viewing at 7 pm. As a member of St. Dominic's Roman Catholic Church in Security; a funeral mass of catholic burial, will be celebrated by Msgr. Donald Dunn, held on Saturday, April 14, 2012 at 10 am. Maria will be attended by pallbearers: Christian Valenti, Raimondo Piluso, Jr., Rodolfo Piluso, Mario Piluso, Christian C. Valenti, Raimondo Piluso III, Rory Piluso and John Piluso. Gravesite services and internment will be held at Evergreen Cemetery following the funeral mass, where she will be laid to rest next to her husband. Reception will follow at 12:30 pm at Cheyenne Mountain VFW Post 3917, 4715 Clearview Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80911. In lieu of flowers, friends may make a donation of remembrance to Operation Warrior Reconnect through the Roever Foundation (http://www.roeverfoundation.org/project.) "If we live in the hearts we leave behind we do not die". Online condolences: shrineofremembrance.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Gazette on Apr. 11, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Maria Piluso

Not sure what to say?





Beautiful woman March 2012

May 11, 2012

Sweet Grandma enjoying the sun in style 3-2012

May 11, 2012

Rudy Grandma and Hunter Jan 11 2012

May 11, 2012

April Crytser

April 25, 2012

My daughter Emma called her Grandma Maria, she always welcomed her with a smile and of course some sort of treat. An amazing woman with a heart so full of love it over-flowed. Always in our thoughts Grandma Maria...we love you! April, KayLee and Emma

Frederick Moore

April 21, 2012

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Laurie Geers

April 18, 2012

Maria, You were one special lady. You will be missed. Rest in Peace.

Marlene Grover Smith Pawelek

April 17, 2012

Piluso family,
You were doing the same thing I was. Remembering the things she would say and do. I remember when the spagetti sauce wasn't right. She would leave and go home for the night. She was so meticulous about her cooking. I can still remember her calling Mario and Rudy. Good memories for a great lady.

April 16, 2012

PILUSO FAMILY WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR VISITS TO MOMS HOUSE IN LONG ISLAND,AND YOUR MOMS CUTE WAYS. REST IN HEAVEN WITH UNCLE RAYMOND.LOVE COUSINS VITO& MARGARET DEERPARK NY

Kristin Piluso

April 15, 2012

What a week, my beautiful,caring and loving Mother-in-law passed away on Easter morning. We were all saddened but in away we knew she was much happier and not in discomfort anymore. She passed 28 years to the day that her beloved husband did, so I think he came and took her home to be with him because they had been apart to long. The week has been a whirlwind with getting things ready, family coming in and the emotions that come with heartache and saddness. Her viewing and Rosary where beautiful and so many people came to show their respect and love for her. The Catholic mass yesterday was beautiful also and also included that beautiful scenery of the mountains she and her husband love so much. It was so wonderful having all the immediate family all together again under one roof, laughing, crying, hugging each other, telling stories till all hours of the night. She would have loved seeing us all together again, but I am sure her and her husband were looking over us the whole time. RIP Maria, we will never forget you and you will forever be in our prayers and in our hearts......we love you

Tina Marie Lamar

April 14, 2012

Aunt Maria will truly be missed. She was an amazing woman. I know she is in heaven with Uncle Ray. May she rest in peace. Thinking of all of you.
With Prayers.

Angela, daniel, Ariana, and hunter Walter

April 14, 2012

This candle will burn for you forever grandma. Today we lay you to rest next to your husband. RIP we love you so much!

Gary Baker

April 13, 2012

A small poem of hope for the family:

We little knew that day,
God was going to call your name.
In life we loved you dearly,
In death, we do the same.

It broke our hearts to lose you.
You did not go alone.
For part of us went with you,
The day God called you home.

You left us beautiful memories,
Your love is still our guide.
And although we cannot see you,
You are always at our side.

Our family chain is broken,
And nothing seems the same,
But as God calls us one by one,
The chain will link again.

April 13, 2012

To the Piluso Family, I'm sorry for your loss. Your in my thoughts. Brian Helm

April 13, 2012

Deepest sympathy.. and thinking of you Neena
Michele Parker

Marlene Grover Smith Pawelek

April 13, 2012

Rudy,
I don't know if you remember me, but your mother used to laugh at how we got along and delivered pizzas to the soldiers on post. I am sorry for your loss.

Marlene Grover Smith Pawelek

April 13, 2012

To the family,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I have fond memories of Maria and Ray when I worked for them in Manitou and in Security at the restaurant outside the B gate of Ft. Carson. I even had my reception at the restaurant. May God bless Maria's soul and Ray's soul as they were fabulous people in life and I am sure that they are together again in heaven. May God grant you peace in your time of sorrow.

Katina Piluso

April 12, 2012

My dearest grandma,
Although you are gone I still feel you in my heart! I know I've said it about a million times, but I love you so much! I could not have picked a more beautiful and perfect day for grandpa to come back to take you back home in his arms! I'm so blessed to have you as my angel now. I know you will be there on my graduation day looking down on me with such a big smile!! I promise Grandma, I will make you proud! Thank you for an amazing 24 years. I will always carry a huge part of you in my heart and in my soul! This is not goodbye, this is my "I will miss you, until we meet again." I'll keep my eye on the sky, and I'll know your watching over me!! I love you more than you will ever know!! I'll be missing you...

Sandy Hall

April 11, 2012

She was an amazing woman!!! There are no words to express my eternal gratitude for all she did to help our girl scouts.

Rick Thurston

April 11, 2012

Deepest sympathy to the Piluso family.Hope all is well with you Rudy and Rory.She sounds like a wonderful Grandma.

Steve Chambers

April 11, 2012

Rudy and Becky, Very very sorry to hear of your mom's passing. She was a remarkable lady who will be missed by many. I know she is in heaven with your dad, who I know she greatly missed. We are out of state and will not be able to be with you at your time of sorrow, but my heart will be with you and your family.

April 11, 2012

Rudy, What fond memories of your Mother(and Dad) at Odell's we have. We always enjoyed our conversations with your Mom at the Fire Dept dinners. Our deepest sympathy is extended to you and your family. Dave & Bettie Bacharach, Falcon, CO

Angela (Piluso) Walter

April 11, 2012

Riposare in pace nonna. Gli ultimi trent'anni con voi sono stati così prezioso. Rest in peace grandma. The last thirty years with you have been so precious. I love you so very much and will miss everything about you but the memories I have are so vivid. You will live on in those memories. I'm so thankful both of my kids had the chance of knowing their great-grandma. You left this world on the most glorious day and heaven is even more wonderful now with you there. I ask that you continue to watch over my family and myself. Guide and protect us. Tell grandpa hi for me, I'm sure he is so happy to have the love of his life back in his arms. "Oh mamma Mia" I miss you!!!! Non voglio dire audio, I'll dire arrivederci a presto. I will not say goodbye, I'll say see you soon.

Becky Piluso

April 11, 2012

Maria when I say I will miss you, it is so much more than just you being gone. We have become so close over the last five years, I will miss all of our special times and your phone calls every morning. I will keep you in my heart forever. I need one favor, please let my brother know I love and miss him. Thank you. I love you Maria. Heaven received a very special angel. Please continue to watch over us until we are united again.

Rudy and Becky Piluso

April 11, 2012

Mom, words cannot express the sheer shock when we recieved the call Sunday morning. Though the pain was slightly eased to know you joined dad the same day of his passing. We will miss you very much but the memories will never end. You will be in our hearts forever mom. Rest in peace with the lord and continue to watch over your family. Untill we meet again.

Laura Certano

April 11, 2012

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

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