Carmille Monfreda-Stellato

Carmille (Rubino) Monfreda-Stellato, left our world Tuesday, April 28, 2009 after ninety-seven and a half years of sharing her love and passion. Everyone who knew Carmille knows that her time here helped make the world a much better place. Carmille is survived by her four children; John Stellato a retired New Bedford Court Magistrate and his wife Jeanne, Dr. Robert Stellato, a retired Endodontist in California, Janet Stellato-Matthews, an elementary school teacher in California , and her husband Dr. Peder Matthews, Michael Stellato, an architect in Texas and her step-daughter Laura Monfreda-Ginisi and her husband Joseph from here in Massachusetts. In addition she had her close friend(s) Pat and Bob Cronin that were like a daughter and son to her. Her younger sister Laura Soloperto is ninety-five and lives in Florida. Carmille was blessed with 15 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. She leaves many nieces, nephews, in-laws and an unbelievable number of friends who she loved and also loved her dearly. Her step-son, Orlando Monfreda, passed away in 1993. Anyone who had the occasion to spend time with her came away with an awed impression of goodness. Born in Monson, MA on October 9th, 1911, she was the oldest of five children; Carmille, Arthur, Laura, Gerald and Vera, of parents Michael Rubino and Rose (LaConto) Rubino, who emmigrated from central Italy. They were a musical and artistic family who spent happy nights together playing instruments, telling stories and listening to the radio. She fell in love with Michael John Stellato and was married in 1931 until his early passing almost 40 years later at the young age of 59. As his loyal wife she stood by Mike from his times as a laborer through all the hard work until he owned and operated the Worcester Mason Construction Company. In October of 1979, Carmille was blessed to find love again and married Orlando Monfreda who had known and respected the family from afar for many years. In the early years, you could find them dancing together at the Frohsinn Club every Saturday night. Both widowed, they shared their past and created a new future together full of happiness, love and respect for fourteen years until his passing in 1995. In addition to raising her four children, she always kept a beautiful home, hot food on the table, traveled the world. She worked, decorated, modeled clothing and eventually managed a branch of the Cherry and Web clothing store. Her spare time was spent baking, making and marketing crafts, knitting, crocheting, painting and even editing the local newsletter where she lived. She always kept her hands and mind busy, and most of all maintained herself as a loyal and trusted friend, advisor and mentor to so many friends and family. Carmille said that she found over the years that the secret to a happy life was to "Always Keep Your Mouth Zipped and Smile" and that she did like no other. She always made the best of every day and set an example that will live on in the hearts and minds of all who knew her. She will be dearly missed but constantly remembered in our hearts, minds and spirits. Her funeral will be held Saturday, May 2, from MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester, with a Mass at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 24 Mulberry Street, Worcester. Interment will follow in Saint John's Cemetery, Worcester. Calling hours will be held Friday, May 1, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. in the funeral home.