Maria Grodzicki

Maria “Mara” Luisa Taglienti Grodzicki, 90, wife of the late Gerald Grodzicki, passed away at her home in Green Valley on November 9, 2017, surrounded by her daughters and son. Mara was born on June 4, 1927, in Rome, Italy; she was the middle of five children born to Giovanni Taglienti and Priscilla Fornari. During the war, Mara met US Army Lieutenant David McDowell; they were married in Florence in 1945. After the war, they lived in Paris before settling first in New York City, and later Rutherford, New Jersey. They had three children, Brian, Claire, and Beverly. From a young age, Mara was familiar with the varied cuisines of Italy, and she began to collect recipes while living in Paris. Mara continued collecting and experimenting in New York City, where in addition to being a wonderful cook, she became well-known as a hostess among the authors and publishing associates she and David McDowell entertained. To share her love for cooking Italian food and entertaining, she began to work on a cookbook. She spent 3 months in the summer of 1952 traveling to all parts of Italy to complete her research, and in 1955, The Italian Cookbook was published by Random House. A few years ago, Mara was surprised and pleased to find out that her cookbook continues to be bought and sold today, in places as far away as Australia. In 1961, Mara married Jerry Grodzicki, and together they had a son, Eric. They both worked a variety of jobs during these early years of their 54 year marriage, including opening and running a restaurant and lounge called Stone Manor. In 1971, Mara and Jerry moved from Pennsylvania to Tucson, AZ, where Mara had a successful career as a realtor, and Jerry worked for Hughes Aircraft/Raytheon. Together, they had many adventures, including building a house in the Patagonia Mountains, many trips to Mexico, and several visits to Italy. They particularly enjoyed hosting relatives eager to visit them in Arizona. Mara was a complex, intelligent, funny, and beautiful woman, who remained engaged and fashionable until the very end. She had many interests, from nature and music to politics and art. Mara enjoyed fine dining, travel, and watching many of the fine television programs on PBS. She collected antiques, seashells, and rocks, especially crystals, and had a soft spot for hummingbirds and butterflies. Mara was a marvelous storyteller, and her family and friends often heard anecdotes from her long, rich, and adventurous life. She loved her family fiercely. Mara is survived by her sisters, Franca Ponticelli and Gianna Taglienti, of Latina, Italy; her children, Claire McDowell Friedenberg (and husband, John), Beverly McDowell, and Eric Grodzicki (and wife, Rosalia); her daughter-in-law, Ciela McDowell (son, Brian, 1951-2016); her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, niece, and extended family in the U.S., Canada, and Italy. In addition to her husband, Jerry, she was predeceased by her son, Brian McDowell, her brother Nino Taglienti, and sister Anna Taglienti LaFace. The family is grateful to Home Hospice Care for the care, respect, and attention with which our family was treated. Special thanks to Terri, Gaye, Cynthia, John, Maria, and, most especially, Nurse Kate. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to: The American Cancer Society 800-227-2345 You can call 24 hours/day and tell them you’d like to donate in memory of Mara Grodzicki. Website: donate.cancer.org Arizona Public Media - PBS/NPR 800-223-7192 Website: support.azpm.org (Or your local public television or radio station.)