ELKHART -- Maria R. Neff, 85, of 855 E. Mishawaka Road, died at 2:45 p.m. Saturday (June 17, 2006) at Rosewood Terrace.

She was born Dec. 23, 1920, in Pompey, Italy, to Salvaro and Marguarite (Mendato) Auricchio. She married Chauncey A. "Curly" Neff on March 16, 1946. He preceded her in death on July 14, 1976.

She is survived by two daughters, Shirley (Greg) Huffman of Elkhart and Margaret (Dr. Tom) Miller of Cumming, Ga.; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two brothers, Michele Auricchio of Ancona, Italy, and Giuseppe Auricchio of Crema, Italy; and two sisters, Gilda and Tina Auricchio, both of Pompey.

She was preceded in death by one sister, Nina.

Friends may call today from 5 to 8 p.m. at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, where services will be at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. The Rev. Dr. Mark Fenstermacher of Trinity United Methodist Church will officiate, and burial will be at Rice Cemetery.

Mrs. Neff was a homemaker and attended Trinity United Methodist Church, where she had been active in the Wednesday night TNT service. She volunteered at Riverview Adult Day Center and was a member of the Goshen Moose and Goshen VFW.

Memorials may be given to Trinity United Methodist Church or Care at Home & Hospice Services, 1721 S. Main St., Goshen, IN 46526. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.billingsfuneralhome.com.