STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Maria Interlandi-Reno, who died Nov. 30, was many things — an educator, a colleague, a devoted family woman, and a loyal friend — but above all, she was a source of kindness.
Born in Brooklyn and raised in a close-knit, loving family, Maria grew up surrounded by the values that would shape her life: compassion, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to people.
She was the cherished daughter of Alfonsa and Santo Interlandi and grew up alongside her siblings, Francesca and Sal, in an Italian-American household where tradition ran deep.
When she was a young girl — around the time she began grammar school — the family moved to Staten Island, settling in Dongan Hills. Maria attended St. Mary’s School on Bay Street, a transition that shaped her future. Italian was the only language spoken at home, and she entered school without being fluent in English.
“They didn’t speak English in her house,” said Maria’s husband, Christopher Reno. “Her older brother made it a point to their parents that they had to practice English at home. They came from a very traditional Italian family — both sides from Sicily.”
It was in those early experiences of learning, translating, and navigating two languages that Maria discovered not only her voice, but her calling.
Maria with her two best friends, Anna and Sara. (Courtesy of Christopher Reno)Career in education
Maria’s career in the New York City Public Schools began in 2000 after graduating from the College of Staten Island, Willowbrook. From her earliest days as a classroom teacher at PS 172 in Brooklyn, her passion for literacy, equity, and student advocacy was unmistakable.
From 2007 to 2015, Maria was appointed assistant principal at PS 94 in Sunset Park, where she oversaw dual-language and ESL programs from kindergarten to fifth grade. She worked closely with families and staff to meet students’ needs. Her expertise extended beyond her school, helping neighboring schools launch their own dual-language programs.
In 2015, Maria joined the District 15 superintendent’s team as director of early childhood education, overseeing the rollout of pre-K centers districtwide. She advocated boldly for Spanish and Chinese dual-language programs at The Little Brooklyn Pre-K Center and helped establish small-class special education programs.
Her work culminated in 2018, when she became principal of PS 124 in South Slope and expanded Spanish-English dual-language programs and implemented Saturday academies to help struggling students. Maria also strengthened family supports, including adult ESL classes.
“Maria wasn’t driven by professional accomplishments,” said Reno. “She was really driven by doing the right thing. By helping people the right way.”
Championing equity and community
Having grown up in a multilingual household, Maria brought deep empathy and cultural understanding to her work, ensuring every child’s language and identity were valued as assets in their learning.
She guided both the PS 124 Equity Team and Student Equity Team, uplifting student voices and ensuring culturally responsive practices. She recognized the growing needs of students in temporary housing, expanding supports for English Language Learners, and social-emotional learning.
Some programs she launched included social and emotional learning initiatives, food and clothing pantries, and vibrant community events, ensuring every family felt welcome and connected.
“She did food drives, clothing drives, coat drives, everything along those lines,” recalled Reno. “She did everything she could in order to try and help those struggling.”
Her influence extended across communities in her role as the Brooklyn North director of multilingual learners, supporting multiple districts and high schools in providing equitable access, high-quality instruction, and resources for multilingual learners.
In recognition of her extraordinary career, Community School District 15 and the NYC Public Schools honored Maria for her lifetime of dedication, celebrating her advocacy, vision, and commitment to educational excellence that opened doors for generations of children and families.
A love found later in life
Maria’s devotion extended beyond the classroom. She found love later in life with Christopher Reno, meeting on June 14, 2019, via Match.com.
Their romance was fast and heartfelt: they had their first date on a Friday, a second date on Saturday, lunch on Sunday, and took a trip to Greece just three weeks later. Within a month, they were living together.
The pair married on July 15, 2022, at the Grand Hotel Tremezzo on Lake Como, Italy, surrounded by family and closest friends.
“She was super, super kind and genuine, and authentic to a fault,” said Reno. “She let you see exactly who she was.”
Maria and Christopher Reno at their wedding on July 15, 2022, at the Grand Hotel Tremezzo on Lake Como, Italy. (Courtesy of Christopher Reno)
During that time, there was a moment that captured the lightness and love they shared, when Maria and Reno somehow found themselves in the same room as actor George Clooney.
“It was just us in a little hotel bar. We gave him a head nod and a wink, and he gave us a little recognition,” remembered Reno. “And that’s when I saw the depth of her kindness, because she just leaned into me and went, ‘I definitely think you’re more handsome than him.’ And that just made me feel a little bit different about things.”
Maria’s kindness not only shaped her students, but it also transformed Reno and his role as a father to his children, Jonathan and Alexa.
“I was always super focused on being driven, because I came from the opposite background of Maria — my father had left, and my mother raised my brother and me as a single parent,” said Reno. “Whatever I achieved in life or have achieved to this point has been essentially as a result of my drive professionally and financially.”
“She helped me to stop and focus less on that and more on the things that count the most, which, at the end of the day, really comes down to your family and your closest friends,” added Reno.
Maria with her husband, Christopher Reno, and his children, Alexa and Jonathan. (Courtesy of Christopher Reno)
Maria’s devotion to family extended to her own parents, Alfonsa and Santo Interlandi. She and Reno bought the house next door to them so they could age in place while remaining close.
“Almost every Sunday, we had dinner with her parents,” said Reno. “We recently bought the house next door to them. Our plan was to live there and take care of them.”
Outside of her family, Maria’s great hobby was traveling, which she often did with her husband and kids. Maria’s faith was another cornerstone of her life.
“When I went to church yesterday, because Maria loved to go to church, I asked the priest at St. Anne’s if I could take the liturgy book with me to read to her at the cemetery,” said Reno.
“When I got to her crypt, I noticed the dates printed at the bottom of the book — Nov. 30, the day Maria passed, and Feb. 17, my birthday. I just felt like that was a sign from God that she’s okay and she’s with him,” he explained.
Maria is survived by her husband, Christopher Reno, and her bonus children, Jonathan and Alexa. She also leaves behind her parents, Alfonsa and Santo Interlandi; her siblings, Francesca and Sal (and his wife, Laura); and her cherished nieces and nephews, Gabrielle, Thomas, Nicholas, Aria, Luka, and Willow, along with 27 first cousins and many aunts, uncles, and family friends.