Obituary

Maria Miragliotta Roberts “Aunt Mary” 96 of Kanawha City passed away after a long illness on 12/16/2025.

A very religious woman who deeply loved her family. Maria enjoyed traveling to Italy including several visits to her parents’ home in Gioiosa Marea, Sicily. Her sisters Carmella and Jean were included in many of those travels. They discovered Italian relatives and stayed with them several times while visiting Italy. They remained in contact our Italian family through calls and correspondence throughout the years. She chose to send the families gifts of money for years after her return to the US.

A dedicated member of St. Agnes Church in Kanawha City, she was also a life long member of the Christopher Columbus Italian Lodge, a member of the Civitans, The Lions Club, and the Optimist Club. She held several offices in these organizations over the years, assisting with programs which were effective providing assistance to people in need. She contributed to a charity which gave scholarship money to graduating children in the Italian Lodge to further their education. She presented this award at the Annual Lodge Christmas Party.

Born in Williamson ,WV to Antonio and Rose Cusma-Piccione Miragliotta on October 30, 1929. She graduated from Charleston High School in 1952. Following her graduation, she joined the Franciscan Sisters based in Lawrenceville, PA. She continued her education through the order. It was during this time she served as a teacher at The Presentation School in Midland, PA for two years. She quickly realized how important education was for students and the accommodations often needed to foster success. Maria earned a BA from Duquesne University in Business Education graduating Cum Laude. This led her to work in many Catholic hospitals across several states in the northern United States. She continued her education attending The University of Minnesota earning a MA in Health Care and Hospital Administration where she received highest honors at graduation. Her subsequent work in each administrative position prepared her for the next assignment. She eventually worked her way up to serving as a Hospital Administrator. Progressing through each of her assignments had continued to prepared her for future success. She was eventually named as Administrator of Saint Francis Hospital in New Castle, PA.

She continued to move several times, at the request of the church. While serving as a nun with the order of The Sisters of Saint Francis she became Administrator of many Hospitals throughout the North. She received recognition for her work and was named to The Who’s Who in Religion in 1975-76. Choosing to leave the Convent after years of service she was no longer a nun. She continued working in an administrative capacity for the American Medical Association located in New York City until her eventual retirement.

Her plans for that retirement brought her back home to live and to care for her brother and sisters. It was during a holiday visit before retirement that she was reintroduced to Al Roberts, a childhood friend. They found that they enjoyed spending time together, particularly dancing, which eventually lead to their marriage.

Her marriage to Al was a blessing to both of them. They enjoyed life together at their home in Elkview. At a vacation home they had in Summerville they hosted many holiday parties. They decided to visit Italy for their honeymoon. She was excited to introduce him to both the culture of Italy and the large number of relatives with whom she and her sisters had maintained relationships. They were married for five years before the trip to Italy planning on traveling to visit relatives.

Unfortunately Al passed away during their visit. She decided, upon her return from Italy, that she wanted to honor Al and his accomplishment overcoming Dyslexia. Al had struggled with the disorder as a child and worked hard to overcome his difficulty. Maria recognized a need to encourage children who also suffered from Dyslexia or learning disabilities. She began the Al Roberts Awards fun to recognize students from Kanawha County Schools who had made significant progress during the school year. Certificates were usually awarded to chosen students during ceremonies held in the spring of each school year.

Maria was the youngest of three girls and five boys born into the Miragliotta family. She is proceeded in death by her parents, her husband Al Roberts, her brothers Frank, Joe, Jimmy, Basil, and Sam, as well as sisters Carmella, Jean. Her surviving family includes 3 Stepchildren- Linda Roberts Woodford, Virgil Lee Roberts and Nancy Roberts Russell along with over 30 nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Visitation will be held at Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home on January 9th from 4-6 pm with a Rosary service conducted by the St. Agnes Catholic priest after.

Funeral Services will be held at St. Agnes Church at 11:00 am on January 10, 2026, followed by her burial at the Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery of the Spring Hill Cemetery. She will be buried with the Miragliotta family there. After the funeral service and graveside service at the cemetery, you are invited to return to St. Agnes where there will be a luncheon prepared by the ladies of the church.

In lieu of flowers, donation to children’s charities, after school programs for struggling students, programs for children with dyslexia, or to the educational institution of your choice is suggested.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.barlowbonsall.com.

Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.