Matilda Protano

Matilda A. "Tillie" (DiPasquale) Protano , 89, passed away on September 1, surrounded by her devoted family at the University of Massachusetts Medical Hospital after a brief illness. She was born in Worcester, daughter of Frank and Josephine (Iandoli) DiPasquale, and was a lifelong resident of the area. She resided in Worcester for many years before moving to Holden and eventually relocating to Southgate in Shrewsbury. Matilda's husband, of 59 years, Joseph predeceased her May 13, 2000. She is survived by her three children, Robert J. Protano and his wife Susan of Sterling, Paula D. Police and her husband David of Holden, and Deborah J.P. Schur and her husband Timothy of Dudley. She also leaves seven grandchildren, David Protano and his wife Jan, Lisa Stephens and her husband Joseph, Danielle McGrath and her husband Christopher, Nicholas Police, Benjamin Schur, Nathaniel Schur and his wife Jennifer, and Adrienne Schur as well as four great grandchildren, Michaela and Dylan Protano, Sydney Stephens and Alexandria McGrath; two sisters Mary "Dolly" Pichierri of Sterling and Loretta St.Andre of Grafton, Ohio; several nieces and nephews and a dear friend, Janet Anderson, of Shrewsbury. Matilda graduated from North High School in 1940. After attending the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston she obtained a degree in the Normal Course in Voice, graduating magna cum laude, and later earned a degree for completing The Soloist's Course in Voice. She was most proud to have studied under the direction of Boris Goldovsky. For many years she was a private voice teacher, choir director and a concert and church soloist in Worcester and Worcester County. She also enjoyed teaching as a music instructor in the Worcester Public Schools. Throughout her married life Matilda was actively involved in many social and cultural organizations. She was past president and board member of the New England Conservatory of Music Alumni Club, a founding member and past president of Opera Worcester Inc. which began in 1974, Worcester Community Concert Association, a member of the Music Guild of the Worcester Music Festival, president of the Worcester Lioness Club and honorary member of the West Boylston Lioness Club. She has been a member and past president of the St.Vincent Hospital's Guild of Our Lady of Providence, the Orphans of Italy as a charter member, president and scholarship chairman of the former Tuesday Luncheon Club, board member of Opera New England and served on committees for Burncoat PTA of Worcester. In 1976 she and her husband traveled to Hawaii as part of the Lions International Convention. Matilda was a speaker on the panel when Harry Aslan, president of Lions International, recognized women as members of the Lioness Clubs. The family of Matilda wishes to express their gratitude to the following primary companions Judy Doherty, Linda Dolan and Maria Williamson for their dedication and loving care. In addition many thanks should be given to all her friends and other companions who were instrumental in the care and happiness of her daily life. A special and heartfelt thanks and acknowledgement to all the physicians and medical staff at U Mass Hospital University Campus for the compassion, professionalism and kindness given to Matilda during her final journey. Matilda's celebration of life will be held Saturday from the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St with a Mass at 10:00 am in St. Christopher Church, 950 West Boylston St. Burial next to her husband will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton. Friends and relatives are invited to visit with the family Friday, September 3rd from 5 pm to 8 pm in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Opera Worcester Inc. P.O. Box 60126, Worcester MA 01606 or Alzheimer Association of Massachusetts, 311 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA 02472