Maria Mikolanda

On February 18, 2025, Maria Urso Mikolanda, daughter of the late Emilio and Gilda (Caferro) Urso and late stepfather Enrico Urso, passed away surrounded by the love of her family, at the age of 81. 

Maria was born July 4, 1943, in the Village of Pianetti in the Province of Cosenza, Italy. In 1954, her mother, with Maria and her 2 sisters Ida and Yolanda, immigrated to America on the USS Christopher Columbus through Ellis Island, NY, to her lifelong home and community in Lorain, Ohio.

She was a member of St. Richard’s Catholic Church in North Olmsted, OH. She was a graduate of Lorain HS, class of 1962 and Kent State University, class of 1966 and received her master’s in education. She was adventurous and her initial career was as a flight attendant for Pan American Airlines, where she traveled the world.

She was preceded in death by her late husband, Glen Mikolanda; her mother, Gilda Urso, and most recently her sister, Ida.

Maria was the epidemy of a big sister, who stood by her younger sisters and modeled how to be a strong woman. Despite them not speaking English when they moved to America, Maria worked with them to help them speak English properly and achieve all their dreams in school. She was her sisters' biggest advocate.

When she married Glen in 1968, they took their honeymoon by going to 10 countries and exploring the cultures of the world. She was a proud mother to James Vincent and Tera Mikolanda Studebaker (Todd) and the proud grandmother to Angelina, Lauren (Alex), Anabella (Myron), Justin (Miah), Lilly and Jacob and a proud great-grandmother to Liam and Oliver. She also had 4 nieces her Godchild Amy (Michael Sullivan), Angela (Jason Ott), Lisa (Joe), Michelle (Chip) and a nephew Andrew (Noelle Burleson) and many great nieces (Annalin, Juliana, Sloane and Storie) and nephews (Braden, Michael B., and Beau). Her true love in this life was her family, she shined when talking about each of them. She was so gifted in letting people know how she felt about them and she lifted others up constantly. She was so kind and incredibly humble and would give anything to those that she loved. She was an incredible servant to God and there is no doubt that she is celebrating in Heaven already with those that went before her.

In addition to her family, Maria had such a passion for teaching others, she was a teacher for many years and most memorable was her time with Cleveland Schools. The children she taught were also part of her cherished legacy and she was so proud to be a part of their lives.

Maria’s family will receive friends on Monday, February 24, 2025, from 11:00 am until the time of her funeral Mass at 12:00 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 3655 Oberlin Avenue, Lorain, OH 44052. Rev. Fr. Craig Hovanec, Pastor, will officiate. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Lorain.