Faith Marucci Hitchings

Faith Marucci Hitchings, 101, of Rome passed away peacefully on Friday, June 6, 2025 surrounded by her family and their heartfelt love and devotion.

   Born on January 7, 1924 to Matthew and Filomena Campanaro Marucci, Faith was one of ten children and two grandchildren raised in a warm and spirited Italian family. In 1943 she married the love of her life, John Edward Hitchings. Together they shared 74 years of marriage built on sacrifice, perseverance, strength, selfless love, and a deep commitment to growing together through every chapter of life. They made their home in Rome, where they raised four children.

   Faith’s home was filled with love, laughter, and delicious food. Her table was always a place of abundance, warmth, and togetherness. In addition to her enjoyment of cooking and baking, she also excelled at sewing, gardening and decorating. Her knack for sharing stories and songs served as a tribute to her emphasis on love and the importance of family history.

   Faith is survived by her loving children: Cynthia (Sid) Owens, Melinda (Kevin) Ryan, and John, Jr. (Susan) Hitchings; her son-in-law Don (Mellony Light) Converse; her cherished grandchildren: Heather (Eric) Sindelar, Shane (Allyson) Owens, Erin (James) Ryan, Leyra (Joseph) Ryan, Kevin Ryan, John III (Kathi) Hitchings, and Kristin (Christopher) Messina; and her great-grandchildren: Lauryn, Rhys, Liam, Miles, Will, Harper, Peyton, Edward (John IV), Emery, and Callan. She is also survived by her dear sister, Agatha DeBella, many cherished nieces and nephews, as well as her caring neighbors, Kathy and Lee, who held a special place in her heart.

Faith was preceded by her beloved husband, John; her daughter, Gail Converse; grandsons Donald Converse, Jr. and Brendyn Jon Owens; and daughter-in-law Kathleen Rogers Hitchings as well as many of her siblings. She often reminisced about those who had gone before her, assuring that their lives and love would never be forgotten.

   Throughout her life, Faith devoted herself to family whom she fervently supported and profoundly loved. Her presence will be dearly missed but her quiet strength, warm wit, generous heart and youthful zest for life will always be an inspiration and will never be forgotten.

Services and burial will be private. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Bottini Funeral Home, 120 West Embargo Street. 

You may view the obituary and send a message of sympathy online at: www.bottinifuneralhome.com .