Josephine (Fenuccio) Mandella

Josephine (Fenuccio) Mandella, who celebrated her 90th birthday, April 3rd 2017, passed away peacefully Saturday, April 29th 2017 at Rose Monahan Hospice Residence with her family gathered beside her after a brief period of declining health. Josephine was born April 3, 1927, in Northport, Long Island New York one of twelve children of Italian immigrants Fiore and Raphaela (Guarantana) Fenuccio. She grew up in Worcester, met and in 1944, married Edward Mandella.  Together they settled in Worcester and began to raise their family.  Five years later, Edward and Josephine moved to Westborough where they nurtured their family for the next 35 years before moving to South Grafton in 1996.  The love of her life, Edward passed away in 2002 after 58 years of Love and family.  Josephine is survived by her five children, Edward Mandella, Jr  and his companion Doris Densmore of Northborough,   Judith Gagnon and her husband Raymond of North Grafton, Steven Mandella and his wife Carleen of Nashua, NH, Richard Mandella and his wife Cheryl of Shrewsbury, Ronald Mandella and his wife Colleen of Sutton; three sisters, Jeanette McGurl, Virginia Caricchio and Ann Marie Carney all of Worcester; Four brothers, William Fenuccio of Westborough, Carlo and Joseph Fenuccio of Worcester and Richard Fenuccio of Mashpee; 11 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; and five great great grandchildren; her former daughter in law,  Jacqueline Laslocky; sister in law, Anna Fenuccio;  Many nieces, nephews, extended family  members and friends;  three brothers, Raymond “Lefty”, Frank “Sookey” and John Fenuccio, Sr and a sister, Eileen Paolucci all pre deceased her.  Josephine was an active member of St James Church, volunteering her time wherever needed particularly during crafts fairs and bake sales.  Dedicated to her Italian heritage; family and faith were the most important parts of her life.  She was dedicated to her husband, children and grandchildren.  Their well-being and happiness were her inspiration and life’s pride.  She loved cooking and baking her Italian delicacies and found her happiest times in life during the holidays and special occasions with her family around her. Everyone was welcome in her home and no one ever left hungry.  She also enjoyed crafts, crochetting and the summers at the camp on Cedar Lake with her family.  Friends and relatives are invited to calling hours, Thursday, May 4th from 4pm to 8pm in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & Chapel, 370 Plantation St.  Her celebration of life Mass will be held Friday, May 5th at 11:00 am in St James Church, 89 Main St. South Grafton. (Please go directly to church).   Burial will follow in St. Johns Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Rose Monahan Hospice Residence, 10 Judith Rd Worcester or the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168