Maria Concetta Parnell

Maria Concetta Parnell, 85, passed away peacefully on June 22, 2026, at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center in Houston, Texas, surrounded by the love of her family.

Maria was born on June 20, 1941, in Santa Catalina, Italy to Vincenzo and Francesca Lanciano. At the age of 9, her life took a remarkable turn when her family relocated to Gloucester, England. Her father, Vincenzo, had been captured as an Italian soldier during World War II and spent time as a prisoner of war in England. After the war, he brought his family to the very farm where he had worked while a prisoner, creating a new beginning for his family. Soon, many members of the Lanciano family followed from Italy to Gloucester, where Maria embraced a new country, learned a new language, and began building the life that would define her.

On March 25, 1961, Maria married the love of her life, Michael Parnell. Together they shared more than six decades of marriage, devotion, and adventure.

In April of 1977, Maria and Michael made another courageous leap of faith, immigrating to the United States with their three children, Steven, Darren, and Nicki, in pursuit of greater opportunities and the American dream. They settled in Seabrook, TX. where they built a wonderful life together. While Michael worked as an electrician for Brown & Root, Maria discovered her passion for the restaurant business. Her entrepreneurial spirit eventually led her to own Sir Winston’s Restaurant in Seabrook, where she welcomed countless customers with warmth, hospitality, and pride.

Above all else, Maria treasured her family. Nothing brought her greater joy than spending time with those she loved. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose legacy will live on through the generations she helped shape.

Maria was preceded in death by her parents, Vincenzo and Francesca Lanciano, her beloved great-grandson, Weston and her grandson-in-law Louis Sanders.

She is survived by her loving husband of nearly 65 years, Michael Parnell; her children, Steven Parnell (Jaemy), Darren Parnell (Yvonne), and Nicki Holian (Mark); her 12 grandchildren; and her 14 great-grandchildren, along with numerous extended family members and friends in both the United States and abroad.

A time of Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. with the Memorial Service celebrating Maria’s life starting at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at Palms Funeral Home, 2300 E. Mulberry Street, Angleton, Texas 77515.

Maria’s family finds comfort in knowing she is now at peace, reunited with loved ones who have gone before her. Her strength, resilience, kindness, and unwavering love for her family will be remembered always.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made in Maria’s honor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through her memorial fundraising page:

https://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR?px=9295199&fr_id=154020&pg=personal