Mafalda Cento

Award-winning Staten Island artist Mafalda Cento (Bonavita) passed away on Sunday September 1, 2024 at the age of 82. 

 Mafalda was born December 27, 1941 to Umberto and Rosa (Parrello) Bonavita in Rome, Italy. She immigrated with her family to the United States in 1956 and settled in Brooklyn, New York.

 Migrating to a different country in her teens posed significant challenges namely language and culture. Fitting in was quite hard, so she put aside her studies to fulfill her passion for art inspired by the masters of her childhood, Rome. She attended the prestigious Art Students League in the 1960's that opened a new world of possibilities, friendships, and culture. More practically, she began working at Bank of America where she met the love of her life, John. They were married on May 10, 1964 and enjoyed a five-week honeymoon in Italy. They eventually settled in Staten Island in 1973 where they raised three children: Adriana, Johanna and John-Paul. She was always proud to be a stay-at-home mom.

 Mafalda described herself as a positive person who loved life and liked to live in the moment. She always pushed herself to achieve more. As an adult, she received her GED as well as attending college. She loved to sew and make clothes and costumes for her friends and family. Her entrepreneurial spirit coupled with the encouragement from everyone who tasted her food prompted her to start a freelance catering business. Although successful, her true calling was always art.

 Though her formal art training was limited, she instead learned her craft through experimentation, dedication and passion. She took many classes at Snug Harbor Cultural Center, and began showcasing her work at their Annual Fence Show. Her work received numerous accolades and awards and this prompted her to transform a room in her home into an art studio where she joyfully painted for forty years. She has exhibited throughout the NYC Metro area, including the Gracie Mansion Fence Show in NYC. Additionally, her works are in private collections in the United States, France, Italy, UK and the Bahamas. She taught art in various locations and served as the President of the South Shore Artists Group (SSAG). She enjoyed painting with fellow artists because she knew how important their inspiration and feedback was to the creative process. She loved painting outdoors and you could frequently find her on the grounds of Mt. Loretto or the Conference House. During the Covid Pandemic she was featured in the Staten Island Advance for creating the piece, “Anguish and Hope.” The idea for this piece came to her in a dream because she was inspired by what the essential workers were going through and how she wished them peace.

 She was an active member of Fine Art America, which is the largest online art marketplace. Through this venue she earned First Place awards for many of her pieces as well as gaining a broader audience to appreciate her work.

 She claimed, “I paint because if I didn’t, I wouldn’t be complete! I never know when or where the inspiration will come but when it does, I follow that feeling which takes me through a creative journey. Painting for me means total expression……. it’s instinctive and emotional. But in essence, it’s life’s force that continues to inspire me.”

 Mafalda’s home in Huguenot provided a welcoming environment to her family and friends. She loved to entertain and host impromptu gatherings. She made sure her guests were happy and no one left hungry. Mafalda was also the keeper of her family legacy, faithfully preserving holiday traditions. She instilled the importance of family and these traditions to her five grandchildren: Mia, Ava, Chiara, Alessia and Nicolas. 

 In addition to her grandchildren, her grieving family includes her beloved husband, John, with whom she recently celebrated 60 years of marriage; children Adriana Imparato (Vincenzo), Johanna Svenelid (Darin) and John-Paul (Jessica); her brother, Francesco Bonavita (Mariella), and sister Vera Agarwal (Krishan). Numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

 In lieu of flowers, donations in Mafalda Cento’s name can be made to the 

South Shore Artists Group 

P.O. Box 60187 

Staten Island, NY 10306 

or envelopes will be available at Bedell-Pizzo funeral home.

 A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:30am on Thursday September 5th, 2024 at St. Joseph-St. Thomas Parish located at 6097 Amboy Rd., Staten Island, NY 10309. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery Staten Island, NY.

 The family will receive friends from 2-4pm and 7-9pm on Wednesday, September 4th, 2024 at Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, 7447 Amboy Rd., Staten Island, NY 10307.