Antonette A Houlihan

Antonette A. (Sangillo) Houlihan, 83, of Worcester, passed away on Friday, August 2, 2013 in UMass Hospital. Her husband of forty-eight years, William N. Houlihan, passed away in 2004. She leaves three daughters, Cheryl A. Houlihan of Worcester, Karen M. Blanchard and her husband Mark of Oakham and Ann Marie Maros and her husband Joseph of Worcester; a brother, Nicholas Sangillo of Portland, ME; a sister, Angelina Higgins of Worcester; a granddaughter, Katrina L. Blanchard; many nieces and nephews. She was born in Portland, Maine, the twenty fifth of twenty six children born to the late Francesco and Catherine Sangillo. Antonette worked for over thirty-one years as a Teacher's Aide in the Worcester School Department, retiring from Grafton Street School. She had previously worked at Holiday Donut and Gannon's Bakery. She was a member of Saint Stephen's Church, the Red Hat's and the Get Togethers. She enjoyed bowling and loved to shop. She also enjoyed going to Old Orchard Beach, where she would spend her summer's relaxing and enjoying good times with her family and friends; it was also where she would reminisce about meeting her loving husband many years ago. Antonette was dedicated to her family and found great joy in their company. She spent many years caring for her sister, Angelina, until she finally had to be cared for herself. Her family would like to thank all of the wonderful staff at Christopher House, for their kind, loving compassion toward Antonette; they made her feel at home. The family would also like to thank the Doctors and Nurses at UMass on Lake Avenue, for taking such good care of her in her final days. She will be remembered for her wonderful personality and her infectious smile. All who met her could only comment that she was a joy to be around. Calling hours for Antonette will be held on Monday, August 5, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. in MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester. Her Funeral will be held on Tuesday, August 6, from the funeral home, with a procession departing at 9:30 a.m. to Saint Stephen's Church, 357 Grafton Street, where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Saint Stephen's Church, 357 Grafton Street, Worcester, MA 01604. To leave a message on her online guest book, please visit www.mercadantefuneral.com