Maria Staggs

Maria Jane DeTeso Staggs- On April 15, 2024, Maria passed away. Maria was born February 17, 1928, at home in Winchester, MA to Caterina Bubba and Antonio DeTeso. She grew up in Winchester, Ma.  She always said she loved life, and she did everything with grace, beauty, generosity and class. Maria worked at several companies before getting married and having a child.  At 21 she was a volunteer for the American Red Cross at Mass Memorial Hospital in Boston. Then she was a secretary at Winchester Brick Company for about 6 years. For 10 years she worked for ITEK which later became part of United Technologies. Finally, for a short time she worked at St. Germain. She liked to volunteer her time. Some places include the town of Longmeadow, First Church of Christ in Longmeadow as a deacon, cooking for Loaves & Fishes, and the Longmeadow Women’s Club. She had other interests.  She loved to move furniture for people and started a business for it. She loved crosswords and jigsaw puzzles.  For 20 years she played golf with the 9 holers at Longmeadow Country Club and she played 18 holes for almost 30 years at Southwinds Golf Club in Boca Raton, FL. Bridge was a steady pastime with several different groups. Her gardening made the yard beautiful. She was predeceased by her husband James Dwight Staggs, stepdaughter Judith R. Staggs, sister Concetta and John Salera, brother Rocco DeTeso and his wife Ann, brother Salvatore “Sam” DeTeso and his wife Mary, sister Antonette “Ann” and Robert “Bud” Scheybal. She is survived by a sister, Lilla and Emanuel Ianna, her daughter Kimberly Staggs, stepdaughter Mary C. Staggs, stepson James Steven Staggs and his wife Margaret, step grandsons Matthew Galamison and his wife Ashleigh, Marshal James Staggs and his wife Ashley. Family and friends are invited to gather on Saturday, April 20, 2024, from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM at Forastiere Smith Funeral and Cremation, 220 North Main Street, East Longmeadow followed by a Service at 11AM. Burial will be in Longmeadow Cemetery, Longmeadow, MA. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Baystate Health and Hospice, 30 Capitol Dr., West Springfield, MA 01089 and Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104. For more details and to share condolences please visit www.forastiere.com.