Maria was born April 1, 1938, to Caterina and Davide Barbieri in Montebruno, Italy, a rural town outside of Genoa. She emigrated with her family from Italy to the United States in 1954 at the age of 16 and became a U.S. citizen in 1966. While working in New York City’s garment district she met Calogero “Carlo” Vaccaro. The two were married June 11, 1960, and lived happily together for 57 years until his death in 2017.

The most important treasure in Maria’s life was her family. She was a devoted partner to her husband and together they raised three loving children. She created lasting family memories by hosting home-cooked meals every Sunday night for her adult children and grandchildren and was always happy to babysit her grandchildren when called upon. She cared for her parents in their final years and nursed her husband through his illness. She was a devout Catholic and long-time parishioner of Holy Spirit Catholic Church.

Maria was preceded in death by her parents; loving husband; brother, Dino Barbieri; sisters-in-law Cora Barbieri and Antoinette Fiorenza; brothers-in-law Ercolino Fiorenza, Silvio Frustaci and Antonio Vaccaro.

Maria is survived by her daughter Carmela Grimm and her husband, Donald; son Lou Vaccaro and his wife, Maryann; and youngest son Carlo Vaccaro and his wife, Debra. She was blessed to become a grandmother to Dana Kane and husband, Justin; Dylan Vaccaro and wife, Denver; Brandon Vaccaro and wife, Lia; Lauren Tucker and husband, Mackenzie; Michael Vaccaro and wife, Elana; Annemarie Vaccaro; Brendan Grimm and wife, Erika; and Jessica Grimm. Maria’s joy in recent years was becoming great-grandmother to Grace, Levi, Crew, Lucy, Bennett, Calum, Piper, Wesley and Evelyn.

Maria is also survived by her sister-in-law Graziella “Grace” Frustaci, brother-in-law Armando Vaccaro and many nieces and nephews.

The Vaccaro Family will receive friends for a Visitation Gathering 5:00 – 7:00pm including a Vigil Service at 6:00pm officiated by Deacon Pat Goin, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, in the Arlington Park Funeral Home Chapel, 6920 Lone Star Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32211 (904) 724-6384. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin 10:00am, Thursday, May 14, 2026 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 11665 Fort Caroline Road, Jacksonville, Florida, 32225, (904) 641-7244 with Rev. Fr. John Peter Arul, MSFS officiating.