Maria Thomasino (née Lollino), 86, born on March 20, 1939 in Carbonara di Bari, Italy, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones in La Porte, Indiana January 27, 2026.
Maria was the oldest daughter of eight children born to Onofrio and Teresa (née Viterbo) Lollino. As a teenager, Maria trained as a professional seamstress and pattern maker under the renowned and innovative Arduino Panaro. Teresa Lollino and her friend, Teresa Thomasino, who had emigrated to the U.S. years earlier, played matchmakers to Maria and Mrs. Thomasino’s son, Lewis. Maria wrote to Lewis through his mother and love blossomed. After a year of exchanging letters, Lewis traveled from Indiana to Italy, and, on March 6, 1958, the two were joyfully married.
The young couple settled in Hobart Township (now Lake Station), Indiana where they started a family—a daughter, Theresa, and a son, Thomas. In 1961, Maria gained U.S. citizenship. Maria and Lewis later built a home in Portage, Indiana where their second son, Lewis Onofrio, was born, and where they would live for the next 56 years.
Maria was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Alongside raising her children and, later, doting on her grandchildren, she made use of her talents as a gifted seamstress, creating and tailoring countless garments, including dozens of wedding and bridesmaid dresses. She was also an avid flower and vegetable gardener, a wonderful cook, a lover of music, and a delightful conversationalist. Maria and Lewis attended Real Life Church in Portage, Indiana.
Maria was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Giovanni Lollino; and many dear extended family members and friends. Surviving are her beloved husband of nearly 68 years, Lewis; her children: Theresa (Rod) Milligan; Thomas (Cathy) Thomasino; and Lewis Onofrio (Tiffany Baldwin) Thomasino; her grandchildren: Elizabeth (Tony Maxson) Milligan, Chelsea (Luke Darling) Milligan, Thomas J Thomasino, Silas Thomasino, and Oxby Thomasino; her siblings: Giuditta Thomasino, Anna Palella, Regina (Tony) Palella, Antonio (Geri) Lollino, Bartalemeo Lollino, and Giuseppe (Cathy) Lollino; and many cherished nieces and nephews.