Maria Moeller

Maria Viola Fusco Moeller (aka Mimi to her grandchildren), age 90, of Madison, Wisconsin passed away peacefully in her home on Thursday, June 18th after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born to Dominic and Anna Fusco, Maria grew up in Detroit, Michigan. She is survived by her two loving daughters Laura (Charlie) Coe of Lindenhurst, Illinois and Julie (Chris) Martinelli of Windsor, Wisconsin; her cherished grandchildren, Alyssa, Ashley, and Angela Coe and Michael and Sofia Martinelli; her sisters Margaret Ruggero and Carmela Vitale, her sister-in-law Jeanne Moeller, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her sister Madalene Mannino, brother-in-law Dr. James Moeller, and brother-in-law Frank Ruggero.

As was the custom in a very Catholic Italian home, Maria, the eldest daughter, became a nun at the age of 17 with the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, where she served for 13 years. During this time, she attended Marygrove College and became a teacher.

Maria was an educator for over 40 years, in Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. She believed in lifelong learning and received her Masters degree during the 1980s. She was a truly amazing teacher; changing the lives of her students by instilling a love of learning, emphasizing creativity, breaking down barriers, and going to bat for each and every child. She was a natural; she dedicated herself to each student, and expected them to always try their best - and they did, because they knew how much she loved them.

After retirement, Maria continued to educate, teaching conversational English to children in Italy through Global Volunteers. Whenever she took care of her grandchildren, they spent time “playing” school, and she even taught her youngest granddaughter to read and count to 100 during these special days.

Maria was able to put anyone at ease and could talk with anyone - about anything. Her social prowess was revered by her family; if someone wasn’t sure what to say during a social situation, they would pause and ask themselves, “What would Mimi do?”

Maria loved to travel and experience different cultures. She went on many trips with friends and family, including Bali, Puerto Rico, Italy and other parts of Europe, Montreal, and across the US. Her home was also a great source of peace and happiness throughout the years. When she wasn’t traveling, she loved tending to her flowers, playing games and puzzles with her grandchildren, shopping (Costco was a favorite), watching sports and foreign films, playing Wordle and Bookworm, baking, enjoying the golf course view from her living room, watching sand hill cranes and other wildlife, and most of all she loved everything Italian!

Maria’s greatest love was her daughters and grandchildren. Whenever they showed up (often unexpectedly) she would call out, “Look, it’s my favorite people!” She was very close with each grandchild. Mimi was not just someone they visited and chatted with, she was someone who served as mom, friend, confidant, sage, teacher, peacemaker, shopping buddy, and spiritual guide. Holidays were a special time with her family, and many traditions she started will continue on, such as Halloween Costumes on Christmas Eve, “Mimi’s Closet” gifts, and Christmas Bingo.

Maria was classy, beautiful, intelligent, and unbelievably strong. She was a true Matriarch. Her family will miss her with a deep ache that will never go away, but she will continue to be a limitless source of strength - a fitting final accomplishment for a woman who loved her family fiercely.

A Memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 27, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Peace Lutheran Church 701 S. Century Ave. Waunakee. Friends may call at the church on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services. A reception will follow the service. In lieu of flowers a memorial will be established by the family at a later date. Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com

Winn Cress Funeral Service

2929 Peaceful Valley Pkwy

Waunakee, WI