Maria was a long-time resident of the Mulligan Road. She graduated from Cornell University before pursuing her career in teaching. She was a member of the Board of E lections , a 4H leader, volunteer for the Red Cross, member of the USDA Allegany County Committee, member of the Alter and Rosary Society, and was on the Board of Assessment Review.
She is survived by: six children, Barbara (Dave) Benjamin, Joanne (Bryan) Burdick, Ron (Alinda) Mulligan, Diane (Dave) Chamberlain, and Susan (Jeffrey) Fontaine, all of Belmont, and John (Rae Rice) Mulligan Jr. of Hornell; 13 grandchildren, Hannah (Noah) Blanchard, Vanessa Lanterman, Bryan Burdick Jr., Jason Benjamin, Michele Shreve, Curtis Benjamin, Danielle Chamberlain, Kasey (Nate) Weld, Co rr ie (Nate Faulkner) Mulligan, Patrick Chamberlain , Kelsey (Charlie Hanulton ) Cline , Jordan Fontaine and Jenna Fontaine ; 10 great-grandchildren, Aaliyah, Ashlynn, Anthony, Chloe, Aspen, Wyatt, Kassidy, Emma, Elaina, and Emmett; sister, Helen (Neil) Riker of Ithaca; sister-in-law, Margaret Ingalls of Bolivar; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by: two sisters, Carol Schires and Agnes Hiltunen.
Friends are invited to call on Thursday, October 26, 2023, from 5 -8 pm at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home of Belmont, 17 Schuyler Street. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, October 27, 2023, at 11 am at Holy Family Catholic Church, 5 Milton Street, Belmont. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery of Belmont. Please consider memorial donations to the Alzheimer’s Association, 6400 Sheridan Drive, Suite 320, Amherst, NY; or to the Amity Rescue Squad , 5184 NY-244, Belmont, NY 14813 . To leave online condolences please visit www.embersfuneralhome.com.