Christine A. DiGregorio

Christine A. (Papagni) DiGregorio, 90, of Worcester passed away peacefully in her home on Saturday, August 11, 2012 with her loving family by her side. Christine's devoted husband of 49 years, Vincent J. DiGregorio passed away in 1991. She was the daughter of the late Angeline Defeudis and Antonio Papagni both born in the region of Puglia, Italy. Christine is survived by her five children: Marie McFadden and her husband Robert Nugent, Joseph A. DiGregorio of Shrewsbury, Angela Mirrer and her husband Barry of Newton, Vincent J. DiGregorio Jr. and his wife Debra of Worcester and Christine DiGregorio of New Hampshire. She is also survived by her eight grandchildren whom she loved dearly: Brendan Smith, Dana Smith, Erika Charlton and her husband Andrew, Vincent J. DiGregorio, III, Anthony DiGregorio, Samantha Mirrer, Victoria Mirrer and Michael DiGregorio. She is also survived by her sister, Virginia Rana, nieces, nephews and extended family and friends. Her brothers Vincent, Morris, and Anthony and her sister Elizabeth Papagni all predeceased her. Christine's family meant everything to her. She was an exceptional cook, sharing and cooking her cherished recipes and adamant about being sure she passed them down to her children. She took extreme pride in the important Italian traditions, Christmas Eve being one of the most amazing as her grandchildren will attest to. She created an exciting and joyous atmosphere which spread much happiness to her family and friends. Christine kept an immaculate family home and also supported her husband and his construction business in the home office, acting as his administrative assistant. Christine was an avid candle-pin bowler, golfer and scrabble player. A former member of the Worcester County Women's Golf Association, participating in tournaments and receiving many awards. One of her golfing accomplishments was a hole in one at the Fairway Country Club in Orlando Florida in 1991. In addition she enjoyed word puzzles, and reading. She developed many friendships centered around her involvement in these activities, but her oldest and most cherished friendships, established in her childhood and young adult life, remained her true and lifelong friends. She was a passionate gardener, and her gardens flourished under her attentive green thumb. This was an extremely rewarding and pleasurable pastime for her and provided her so much comfort. Christine crocheted many afghans for family members and baby afghans for her grandchildren. She loved to sing as she rocked and consoled her grandchildren with her pleasant lullabies. Her grandchildren and children, in turn, used them in her time of need. She enjoyed singing and dancing with her husband throughout their years together. Christine shared stories of her family life as a child growing up in the Plantation street area, of how she almost fell backwards off the ledge at East Park in her attempt to climb its height, and how she loved to be a tomboy as a child. She told the romantic stories of meeting her husband, who lived one street over from her, as he drove by in his model T Ford and whistled at her. The traditions Christine instilled into the lives of her family is her legacy. She will continue to live on in our hearts as we carry those important traditions which are now engraved in all of our lives. She was a member of the former St. Margaret Mary's church until its closing and a former member of the Catholic Daughters of America. Services for Christine will be held on Tuesday, August 14, 2012 from the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St., Worcester with a Mass at 11:00 a.m. in St. Anne's Church, 130 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury. Burial will follow at Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester. A period of calling hours will be held on Tuesday, August 14th from 9:30-10:30 a.m. in the funeral home prior to her Mass. Flowers are welcome. To share your thoughts and memories of Christine, please visit her personal guestbook at: mercadantefuneral.com.