Westborough – Maria C. Barretti, 69, of Westborough, passed away peacefully Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014 after a courageous battle with ALS. She was surrounded by her husband, daughter, and son.
She was born in Bronx, N.Y., and was the daughter of Ferdinando Cardinale and Erminia D’Antonio of Abruzzi, Italy.
She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Michael Barretti Sr.; her daughter, Dina and her husband Peter Lattanzi of Cumberland, Maine and their three children; her son, Michael and his wife Aileen of Westborough and their three children; her sister, Eda Wegielski, and her brother, Emil DiMichele, of Yonkers, N.Y.; her friend and sister-in-law, MaryAnne Barretti-Sunkel; nieces and nephews; and many close friends.
Maria was a medical secretary for 37 years at Reliant Medical Group (formerly Fallon Clinic).
She graduated as valedictorian of her class at Evander Childs High School in Bronx, N.Y., and attended Hunter College briefly before marrying her childhood sweetheart. The family settled in Westborough in 1974 and considered themselves fortunate to have been able to raise their family in such a wonderful community.
The joys of her life were her husband, children, and her six grandchildren, to whom she was especially close. Additionally, she considered as family the members of the Geriatrics division of Reliant Medical Group.
Maria was a member of the Church of Saint Luke the Evangelist and she loved traveling, gardening, cooking, and all things Italian.
She will be missed immensely by those fortunate enough to have known and loved her. Most of all, she will be remembered as the most accepting and loving of people, and as someone who always thought of others before herself.
Calling hours will be held Tuesday, Dec. 2, from 4-8 p.m., at the Rand-Harper-Pickering Westborough Funeral Home, 62 West Main St. Her funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 10:30 a.m., in St. Luke the Evangelist Church, 70 West Main St., Westborough. Burial will follow in St. Luke’s Cemetery.
The family is requesting that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The ALS Association, PO Box 6051, Albert Lea, MN 56007 or to The Tower Hill Botanical Gardens, 11 French Dr., P.O. Box 598, Boylston, MA 01505-0598.
