Mary C. Reynolds

Mary Cecilia (Caracciolo) Reynolds, a long-time resident of Holden and Worcester, passed October 13,2012 at Oakdale Nursing Home & Skill Nursing Center in West Boylston, after an illness. The first generation of Italian immigrants, Mary was born in Worcester, daughter of Felice "Felix" and Jennie (Vacca) Caracciolo, and lived many years there before moving to Holden, where she lived for twenty-five years. Mary leaves a son, Joseph R. Reynolds and his wife Donna of Princeton; two daughters, Antoinette Manguso of Hopedale and Barbara Abasciano of Shrewsbury; and one sister, Antoinette Giroux of Delray Beach, FL. Her beloved husband, Frederick J. Reynolds, passed in 1984. Two daughters predeceased her: Edith Rucci and June Mellen; and two grandchildren: Maryjane Mangano and Kenneth Mellen. Four brothers: James Caracciolo, John Caracciolo, Rocky "Rocco" Caracciolo and Robert Lombardi; and two sisters: Carla DeStefano and Josephine Mastrototaro also predeceased her. She was a matriarch of clan, leaving fourteen grandchildren, thirty-five great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren, many nephews, nieces and extended family. Mary had a long and fulfilling life. She was a kind, compassionate and caring person, giving selflessly of her time and substance to her children, grandchildren, extended family and the hobbies she enjoyed. Her joy and zest for life were evident to all who knew her. For years, she was a homemaker who enjoyed cooking, baking, sewing and knitting. Italian cooking, to the delight and the envy of all, was her specialty. She also worked in the cafeteria at the former Memorial Hospital in Worcester, and again at the former Our Lady of Fatima Rectory in Worcester, where she worked as part-time cook and receptionist. She did volunteer work as a Cub Scout Den Mother at Our Lady of Fatima Church, and for the Mothers' Club at the former Lincoln Square Boys' Club in Worcester. She was a member of the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Jefferson, and the Holden Senior Center, where she participated in its walking club and various other activities. Her family especially wishes to recognize and thank Dr. Janet Abrahamian, of Holden, for her long, devoted and loving care of Mary; and the nurses, aides and staff at Oakdale Nursing Home in West Boylston for their years of care and attention to Mary. You are invited to attend her visiting hours in MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St., Worcester, from 5 pm until 8 pm Monday , October 15th. Her funeral will be held from the funeral home on Tuesday, October 16th beginning at 9:30 am followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Mary Church, 114 Princeton Street, Jefferson at 11 am. Mary will be laid to rest alongside her beloved husband in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Friends of the Holden Council on Aging, Holden Senior Center, 1130 Main Street, Holden, MA, 01520. To share your thoughts and memories of Mary, please visit her personal guestbook at: mercadantefuneral.com