Glens Falls, NY- Maria (Brancato) DeSimone, 100, passed away on December 3, 2025. Born October 11, 1925, in Lawrence, MA, she was the daughter of the late Concetta (Nicosia) Brancato and Antonino Brancato.

Maria earned a B.S. in Education from Queens College (CUNY), where she helped establish the college's girls' basketball team from 1944–1946. She later received her M.S. in Education from Brooklyn College. Maria devoted her career to teaching mathematics at John Adams High School in Ozone Park, NY.

In 1950, Maria married Arthur DeSimone, with whom she shared 50 years of marriage until his passing on May 17, 2000.

Maria was an accomplished seamstress who created countless cherished garments for her family, including First Communion dresses, a wedding gown, and a christening outfit fashioned from her own wedding gown and worn by all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was also an avid reader, an enthusiastic puzzle and game player—enjoying Sudoku, crosswords, Scrabble, jigsaw puzzles, Mah Jongg, and card games, especially "May I"—and a devoted New York Yankees fan.

In addition to her parents, Maria was predeceased by her brother Sebastiano Brancato and her sister Vincenza (Janet) Brancato.

She is survived by her daughters: Joan (DeSimone) Joyner (and the late Allen Joyner); Annette (DeSimone) Ferretti and her husband, Ralph; and Loretta DeSimone. She leaves behind three granddaughters, one grandson, seven great-grandchildren, and many loving nieces and nephews.

Maria will be remembered for her dedication to family, her lifelong love of learning, and the many talents she shared with those around her.

Relatives and friends are invited to call from 4-7pm on Wednesday December 10, 2025 at the William J. Burke & Sons/ Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Home, 628 N Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11am on Thursday December 11, 2025 at St. Clements Church, 231 Lake Ave. Saratoga Springs, with burial to follow in Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Rd. Schuylerville, NY.

In Lieu of flowers consider a donation to Queens College CUNY, and in the "Donation Comments" section please indicate: "In Memory of Maria Brancato De Simone". If you choose to send a check to Queens College you can include those words in your communication and the family will be notified of your donation.

Queens College Foundation

65-30 Kissena Boulevard

Kiely Hall, 9th Floor

Queens, New York 11367

Queens College Foundation