Maria Mancini

Maria E. (Giroux) Mancini

Maria E. Mancini of Litchfield NH died peacefully at home on August 28, 2019, after a long battle with cancer.

Maria was a warm spirit that exuded joy, who loved life and spent her brief 55 years living it to the fullest. After graduating from Litchfield (CT) High School and The Culinary Institute of America (1984), she worked for many years in the hospitality industry. Volunteering at local children's hospitals led Maria to return to school to pursue a career as a special education teacher, obtaining her Master's in Special Education and Teaching from Plymouth State University. She also completed 30 hours of schooling and over 1500 hours of training to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She spent nearly 20 years working with preschool children with Autism within the Manchester (NH) School District. Maria's joy was shared with her kids and she loved them all dearly. When not at school attending to her students, she relished her time with friends and family, enjoying a simple meal or relaxing at the beach. The southern coast of Maine was her slice of heaven on earth and where she felt most connected to God. Her strong faith was on complete display throughout her battle with cancer. Maria's contagious smile never dimmed and her overflowing joy never ceased. Never did she complain or show self-pity only concern for others. She displayed the grace of God until He brought her home.

In addition to her husband Paul, Maria is survived by her father Donald Giroux and his wife Carla Kazanjian of Woodbury, CT, brothers Matt Giroux of Friday Harbor, WA, and Luke Giroux and his wife Carol of West Hartford, CT, and her sister Christina Hollister and her husband Tim of West Hartford, CT. Her smile - and the confetti filled cards that spilled all over the floor when opened will also be missed dearly by her nieces and nephews Erica, Gabriella, Adam, Benjamin, Rachel, Olivia and Leah, as well as her aunts, uncles and many cousins. Maria was preceded by her mother Joan Giroux of Biddeford, ME.

A memorial gathering will be held at her home, 5 Cranberry Ln, Litchfield, NH, September 14th beginning at 12:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Dana Farber Cancer Institute or Live and Let Live Animal Rescue Farm and Sanctuary, 20 Paradise Ln, Chichester, NH, 03258.