Maria Laura Giannini Madigan

Maria was born March 5, 1935 at Columbus Hospital in New York City. Her parents, Gabriel and Luisa Giannini had come to the United States from Rome in 1931 following their marriage that same year.

She came home to Long Island where her parents had moved from New York City in anticipation of her arrival. In 1940 the family (Maria age 5) moved to California. During the war years they rented houses in Whittier, North Hollywood, and Bel Air. She attended local grammar schools from 1943 to 1945, and in May 1945 moved to Pasadena.

In Pasadena Maria attended Arroyo Seco School through the sixth grade, and then Westridge school, graduating in 1952. After a period travelling Europe and cruising the east coast aboard her father’s sailboat Marie Amelie, Maria enrolled at Garland Junior College, a small all girls’ school in the heart of Boston. She graduated from Garland in June 1955.

Meanwhile, through friends at Newport Harbor Yacht Club she had met Jerry Madigan, one of a group of active young sailors in their 20’s. Maria and Jerry were married on November 3, 1956 at St. Andrews Church in Pasadena. They lived in South Pasadena until 1959, and then moved to the Balboa Peninsula Point in Newport Beach.

In Newport Beach Maria raised three children; Patricia, Nick, and Tim who were her greatest joy. She was a member of both Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St. Joachim’s Roman Catholic parishes. She was an active volunteer at Our Lady Queens of Angels School. Additionally she was a sustaining member of the Junior League of Orange County and active volunteer at the Sherman Library and Gardens, one of the early members of the Newport Harbor Art Museum, and a member of the Newport Harbor Yacht Club.

Referred to as Maria, Mom, or Grand-mere she was loved by all who knew her. She was the consummate entertainer and a legendary cook. She had a talent for organization and could whip almost anything “into shape�. A woman of great style, she took great pride in her home and gardens. She had a wry sense of humor that at times had more than a hint of cynicism.

She had a special relationship with her grandchildren, and whether it was group trips to Disneyland, or the search for the perfect cobb salad, the outings were always adventurous. They will miss her especially.

Maria is survived by daughter Trish Drummy (Michael), sons Nick (Maureen) and Tim; her brother Val Giannini (Linda), her half-sister Gabriella Giannini, her former husband Jerry Madigan, step-mother Olga Giannini, six grandchildren including Michelle and Brian Drummy, Michael, Jimmy and Kate Madigan, Max Madigan, and her nephews Martin, Alexander and Charles Giannini.

A funeral mass will be celebrated Thursday, May 29th, at 10:00 am at Our Lady Queen of Angels Church (2046 Mar Vista Drive, Newport Beach, CA).

In lieu of flowers pleased donate generously to the Hoag Hospital Foundation – Cancer Center (www.hoaghospital.org/foundation) and/or Tiger Haven (www.tigerhaven.org).