Dear Clara and Nick, 

She’s so lovely. Gil and I are sorry for this unspeakable loss.  May your many friends and relatives hold you up and help you find some peace in sharing memories of the wonderful life she had.  Abraços forte. 

Judy & Gil 

I knew Ryan before I met Maria. The first time I met Maria, she almost immediately started giving Ryan a hard time, and that's when I knew we would be great friends :)

After Maria started working at Beta, we became much closer and often had girls wine nights. On one of these nights, Maria came over with multiple appetizers prepped in foil takeout containers. She walked right through my door, marched right over to the kitchen, and started cooking without missing a beat -- and this was the first time she had been over to my apartment! I told her she was the Italian mom that I never knew I needed, and we joked that she was actually hosting me that night. 

Maria was the most fun, so kind to everyone, and seemingly could never have a bad time. From the moment I met her, she treated me like I was her best friend, and I know that that is not a testament to how much she liked me, but to how she treated everyone she met with love and inclusivity. I will miss her every day and think of her often, especially in workout classes, wine nights, and canoe trips. 

Sending all my love to Ryan and the Panzini family. 

I first met Maria 2 years ago. We hired her as a sitter for our newly adopted puppy Juniper. Maria quickly went from our dog sitter, to our friend, and ultimately a part of our family.

Maria had an energy unlike anyone I’ve ever met, and probably unlike anyone I’ll ever meet again. Her smile and her laugh were beautiful and contagious, and her hugs were something I always looked forward to and will forever miss.

This past June, Maria came to my Bachelorette weekend. She went into the weekend not knowing anyone but me, and within moments of meeting everyone, she was everyone’s friend. She had us all laughing until our stomachs hurt all weekend long. 

She and Ryan celebrated with us at our wedding in July. I got to dance with her on the best day of my life. I wish more than anything that I could have done the same with her as she married her soul mate next year. 

Maria had the incredible gift of making people feel at home when they were with her. She was a remarkable human being. 2 years knowing her was not enough, but I will be thankful every day for the rest of my life that Maria Panzini came into my life. 

Love you and miss you forever, my friend.

To our dear friends- 

No words can express how sad we are for the loss of your cherished daughter & sister Maria. 

She is forever in our prayers.

Xoxo

The Schultz family

My sweet beautiful best friend Maria since we were children.  There is not enough words to ever explain how amazing you are and how shattered our hearts feel that you left us so unexpectedly and soon. To know you is to love you. If you knew Maria or had the pleasure of knowing Maria even after a few minutes you adored her. Her smile lit up every room she entered, followed by ability to connect with others deeply, her amazing sense of humor, her goofy dance moves and off pitch singing. Maria is my definition of what happiness entails and her infectious spirit. You are such a “lover” as she would call anyone close to her.

My favorite memories with you was just being together, you and I. Growing up together through all our different chapters, to going to college both in South Carolina and visiting one another, at a beach watching the sunset, driving around our hometown with the windows down and music blasting, sharing a seport sandwich ( Boone on a hero extra Russian on the side). Maria would drink a lemonade and I would drink an ice tea to pair with our Boone. We recently traveled to Nashville, Montreal and Newport.  We shared endless laughs usually ending in tears because we would laugh so hard.  I’d do anything to drink another cosmo with you and snuggle you. 

I will look for you in the most beautiful parts of life Maria and try to find strength. You are the definition of what a best friend truly is. Thank you for loving so hard. Rest peacefully my best friend.