Lydia C Pirro

Lydia C. PIrro of Worcester died peacefully at home on Friday, April 20, 2018.  She was 92 years young. She is survived by two nieces, Laurie Szablewski (Tim Ridge) of Marlborough, MA and Patricia Cusano (Al Broaddus) of Charlottesville, VA; and one nephew, L. Michael Cusano (Carmen) of Davie, FL.  Lydia was predeceased by a brother, Dominic Pirro, and three sisters, Estelle Pirro, Delia Cusano, and Marie Szablewski.  Lydia also leaves her dear friend, Sr. Patricia Foley, and was predeceased by her close friend Judith Nichols, who had been her devoted student, roommate and friend.

Lydia was born in Schenectady, NY on August 18, 1925, the daughter of the late Peter and Rose (Rossi) Pirro.  She entered the Sisters of Venerini order at the age of 15, and had resided in Worcester since that time.  She was one of the founding teachers of the Venerini Academy, and upon leaving the order in 1973 taught music in the Worcester Public School System until her retirement in 1990. For several years, she also taught Italian at Anna Maria College, where she had received her Bachelors of Music degree in 1954.  She received her Masters of Music degree in 1958 from New England Conservatory with a concentration in Piano Pedagogy.  While at the Venerini Academy, she taught classroom curriculum, private piano lessons, and conducted the Glee Club. Many of her students from that time remain her dear friends to this day.  She was an extremely gifted pianist in her own right, and could have been a concert pianist had she chosen that path in life.  Her passion was classical music - she loved going to concerts and looked forward to her trips to Tanglewood in the summer.  Lydia was a lifelong member of the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. 

Lydia’s funeral will be held at 10am on Friday, April 27^th at Our Lady of Loreto Church, 37 Massasoit Rd, Worcester. Viewing hours will be on Thursday, April 26^th from 4-7pm at Mercadante Funeral Home, 370 Plantation St., Worcester.  Donations in Lydia’s memory may be sent to JHC Hospice (629 Salisbury Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01609) who provided her with outstanding care and support during the last year of her life.