Maria Antoinette Massi Kreeft was born November 17, 1940 in the Bronx, New York City, to Tranquillo Massi and Helen Shesko Massi, the oldest of four children, the others being Edwina (Percorella), Edward, and Grayce (Ventura).

She graduated from St. Philip’s School and the Academy of Mount St. Ursula in the Bronx, and from the College (now University) of Mount Saint Vincent in Riverdale in 1962. She received her Master’s degree in English from Boston College in 1968 and taught high school in Gloucester, NJ and Concord, MA. She trained in Special Education at BC and by Kotin & Crabtree Law firm as a Special Education advocate. She worked for A. Joseph DeNucci first for the House Committee for Human Services and Elderly Affairs and then for the Office of the State Auditor as Assistant Chair of Staff.

She married Peter John Kreeft, who is Professor of Philosophy at Boston College, in 1962, and they had four children: John, MA in aviation from Florida State University, a Cape Air pilot; Jennifer (Sumner), MA in Industrial Design from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, MA in teaching from Adelphi University, and now works for the State of New York; Katherine; and Elizabeth (Turcic), Psy.D from Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA.

Maria and Peter have 5 grandchildren: Rachel Sumner, Simon Turcic, Jacob Turcic, Ashley Lacy, and Kateri Ventura, and 4 great-grandchildren: Leo, Stevie, Brendan and Rowan.

Maria was an avid reader, especially of the Holocaust, a world traveler, and interior decorator, an advisor to many students with college applications, and a behind-the-scenes researcher and writer for local political campaigns.

A Mass of Christin Burial will be celebrated Friday, June 5, 2026 at 10:30AM in Mary Immaculate of Lourdes Parish, Newton Upper Falls. Visiting hours will be held Thursday, June 4th form 4-6PM in the Burke & Blackington Funeral Home, West Newton.

Donations in Maria’s memory may be made to Mary Immaculate of Lourdes, 270 Elliot St. Newton, MA 02464. Mary Immaculate of Lourdes