Grace M. Maple-Fawe-Zingarelli

Grace M. “Bessie” Maple-Fawe-Zingarelli, 78, of Worcester, passed away on Sunday, August 4, 2024, in the comfort of her own home. 

Grace is survived by a son, George Maple, Jr. and his wife Robin of Worcester; two daughters, Margaret Whitson and her husband Michael of Iowa City, IA, and Jennifer Maple of Dudley; a step-daughter, Deb Mattison and her husband Mark of Holden; a brother Thomas Zingarelli of Whitby Island, WA; two sisters, Donna Landry of Springfield, MA, and Annmarie Comforti of Worcester; four grandchildren, Anthony, Steven, and Nicholas Whitson, and P.J. Mattison; her former husband and father of her children, George Maple, Sr. of Webster; many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a brother, Michael Zingarelli; and by her second husband, Allen F. Fawe. Grace was born in Brooklyn, New York, daughter of the late, Gaetano and Lucy (Scuilli) Zingarelli. She graduated from North High School in Worcester and has lived here most of her life.

Grace retired in September 2014 from Staples where she worked as a sales associate and cashier for several years. She had previously worked for many years at Paul Revere Insurance in Worcester. Grace spent many years volunteering for “Reading for The Blind” through the Mass Association for The Blind, where she also hosted a radio show about travel.

Grace was a die-hard Elvis and Lucy fan, and if you entered her home, you knew immediately that she was infatuated. She loved Halloween and making costumes for the kids as well as setting up a haunted house. She enjoyed the beach (the sand and the view, not the water). She had a passion for reading and had many books about the Amish, Inspirational Stories, Elvis, and I Love Lucy.

Calling Hours will be on Saturday, August 10, from 9 a.m. until a Prayer Service begins at 11 a.m. MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Saint Vincent Cancer and Wellness Center, One Eaton Place, Second Floor, Suite 25, Worcester, MA 01608. (if sending flowers, please no baby’s breath, due to allergy).