Antonietta (Cardellicchio) Leone

Antonietta (Cardellicchio) Leone, a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother, passed away home to the Lord Jesus Christ, in her home surrounded by the ones she loved on Tuesday, December 18^th, 2018.

Born in the southern town of Italy, Lacedonia in the province of Avellino, she was the daughter of Rocco and Carmela (Abbate) Cardellicchio.  Raised in Italy, Antonietta, married Antonio Leone and began raising their family with Love.   In 1968, they immigrated to the United States and settled in Worcester, just off Shrewsbury Street where they continued to raise their children and grandchildren.  Antonietta worked in the food service department of the Worcester State Hospital many years before retiring.   She continued to live in the family home always welcoming them into a home with love.  

Antonietta’s husband Antonio passed away in 2001.  Two brothers, Gerardo and Donato Cardellicchio also pre-deceased her.  She is survived by her devoted family, her son, Gaetano Leone and his wife, Patricia of Columbia, Tenn., daughters, Serafina Quinn and her husband Bruce of Holden, Carmela Szklarz and her husband Daniel of Spencer,  and son, Rocco Leone of Worcester; 14 grandchildren she cherished, Anthony, Alysia, Derrick, Cory, Christina, Rachel, Gabriella, Giuliana, Giustina, Giana, Giovanna, Cheryl, Michelle and Michael; 15 great grandchildren: a sister,  Nicolena Roncareggi in Switzerland; nieces, nephews, and extended family members both here, Italy and Switzerland.  

Antonietta was devoted to her husband, her children and grandchildren.  The backbone of her family, she encouraged and made certain all her children were well educated.   She was a beautiful person who enjoyed the simple pleasures of life; spending time with family and friends, family dinners, traveling home to Italy and to see family in Switzerland, working in the garden with her husband, cooking and baking for her family.  She cherished her Italian heritage and made sure she passed those traits onto her family.  She truly believed that faith, family and friends were the most important and she had room in her heart for everyone she met.   She will be sorely missed. 

Friends and relatives are invited to calling hours, Today Thursday, December 20^th from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St.  Her funeral will be held Friday, December 21^st from the funeral home with a procession to her church Our Lady of Mt Carmel Parish at Loreto Church, 37 Massasoit Rd where her celebration of Christian burial mass will be held at 10:00 am.  Entombment next to her husband will follow in Notre Dame Mausoleum.  In lieu of flowers memorial remembrances in her name can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of Massachusetts, 309 Waverley Oaks Rd, Waltham, MA