UNION — Maria A. Waters, 85, of Union, went home to be with Jesus March 15, 2014, at Quarry Hill in Camden. She was born March 13, 1929, in Naples, Italy, to Luigi and Diletta Savino Mandarino.

She grew up and attended schools in Naples until World War II began. The family moved to Arienzo, Italy, for safety until the war was over. She and her family returned after the war to Naples, where she met Henry Waters. Henry and Maria got married and had four separate ceremonies.

She and Henry lived in Brighton and Somerville, Mass., for many years, raising their family. Maria was a professional seamstress all of her life. She worked at several places, including a bridal boutique on Newbury Street in Boston. She and her husband moved to Maine in 1982. She continued to work as a seamstress at Sproul's Dry Cleaning, Nautica and at her home doing custom designs and alterations.

Maria had a strong faith in Christ and a passion for her family. She had a servant's heart, a faithful prayer warrior, teaching the importance of a relationship with Christ and having faith. She was a member and served on the board of directors of God's Lighthouse Church in Rockland. She loved to cook, and was known for her homemade Italian specialties, which her family and friends always enjoyed eating. She was a loving, generous, kind and vibrant person who was always available to help friends and family. She was also very encouraging to others in need of help and guidance.

She was predeceased by her sisters, Anna Mandarino, Theresa Castaldi and Wanda Silva.

She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Henry Waters of Union; her daughters, Catherine Lento and her husband, Guy, of North Reading, Mass., Elizabeth Waters of Friendship and Theresa Waters of Thomaston; her sisters, Catarina Mandarino of Naples, Italy, Rosa Thompson of Brooklyn, N.Y.; Carmen Netz of Jacksonville, Fla., and Vittoria Rawls of Green Cove Springs, Fla.; her grandchildren, Rachel Lento, Alicia Lento, Stephanie Lento, Victoria Lento and Danielle Lento, all of North Reading, Mass., and Katherine Simoneau and Nicholas Simoneau of Thomaston; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Friends are welcome to join the family for a time of visitation Sunday, March 23, from 2 to 3 p.m. followed by a service to celebrate Maria's life and faith at 3 p.m. at God's Lighthouse Church, 78 South Main St. in Rockland. A reception will follow the service at the church. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery in Union in the spring.

Should friends desire, contributions in Maria's memory may be made to God's Lighthouse Church, 78 So. Main St., Rockland, ME 04841 or to Kno-Wal-Lin Hospice, c/o Northeast Health, 170 Pleasant St., Rockland, ME 04841.

Hall's of Thomaston is caring for the family.