Diane (Prince) Grasseschi

Diane (Prince) Grasseschi, 74 of Worcester a devoted mother, grandmother and sister passed away peacefully Monday, May 29th surrounded by family after a long battle with cancer.   Diane a selfless, kind, generous and dedicated woman was born in Worcester, one of four children of the late, William T. Prince, Sr. and Marie (Russo) Prince.   She graduated from Commerce High School class of 1960.  Soon thereafter she met and married John Grasseschi and settled in the Grafton Hill section of Worcester to raise their family.  Diane and her husband  John founded Grasseschi Plumbing and Heating  in Worcester and supported John in business and through John’s battle with ALS “Lou Gehrig’s”  disease”  assuming the presidency of the company when John passed in 1990, turning it over to their son James “Jim” and retired.  Along with her husband, children and grandchildren, Diane always believed they came first in her life no matter what.  She was the backbone of her family and remained devoted to them especially her six grandchildren who fondly called her “Nanie”.  Diane truly believed in her catholic faith, her family and her friends were the most important in her life.  She had room in her heart for everyone she met, and was very generous with her love, time and resources.  Diane would help anyone she could.   Diane joins in heaven her husband, John who passed away in 1990, Her son, James “Jimmy” Grasseschi who passed away in 2013, her sister and best friend, Estelle Cappabianca and her husband Pasquale,  along with others family members.   Diane is survived by her three daughters, Maria Desy and her husband Leon of Millbury, Gina and Lisa Grasseschi of Worcester; her daughter in law whom she considered a fourth daughter Michell Grasseschi of Willington, CT;  six grandchildren she adored, Brittany, Nicholas, Anthony, Amanda, John and Isabella;  her two brothers, Paul W. Prince and his wife Joanne of Millbury, William T. Prince, Jr. and his wife Kathleen of Rochdale;  her in laws, Stephen Grasseschi and his wife Donna, Michael Grasseschi and his wife Doris; Many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.  Her unwavering catholic faith kept her grounded and helped her through her life's challenges. She was an active member of Our Lady of Loreto Church, attending church weekly, serving as a Eucharistic minister, a member of the parish counsel, and volunteer on many of the church committees.   She was also a member of the Pope John Counsel, Knights of Columbus women’s auxiliary, the Beato Angelo Society, Worcester Lodge 168, Sons of Italy, the Massachusetts Plumbing Association, and the Thursday Morning “Drop Out” Bowling League.   Diane also loved to travel the world, dance and play bingo. But, most of all she was devoted to her children and especially her grandchildren.  Friends and relatives are invited to calling hours Thursday, June 1st from 4 Pm to 8 pm in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St.   Her funeral will be held, Friday, June 2, 2017, from the funeral home with a procession to Our Lady of Loreto Church, 37 Massasoit Rd. where her celebration of life mass will be held at 10:00 am.   Burial will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton.  Members of the Beato Angelo Society will meet at 7:00 pm thursday in the funeral home to conduct their ritual.   In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168, or the ALS Foundation, 315 Norwood Park South, 1st Floor, Norwood, MA 02062