Maria (Piombino) Gazzillo

Maria G. (Piombino) Gazzillo, 83, a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away at home with family gathered at her side Saturday, December 30th, 2023, after a brief period of declining health.

Maria was born in Casertavechia, Italy the daughter of Francesco and Angela Piombino. Raised in Casertavechia, Maria met and married Pietro Gazzillo and proudly came to the United States on October 9, 1975. They settled in Worcester where they raised their family with love, faith, family, and heritage until Pietro left her side on January 17, 2017.   Maria worked to help support her family, first with the former Worcester Knitting Company for three years. She then accepted a position with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts at Worcester State Hospital where she worked for over 27 years before retiring.

Maria is survived by her daughter, Angela Lefebvre and her husband Scott with whom she lived: a son, Giuseppe Gazzillo and his wife Vincenza of Caserta: She was a proud grandmother of four, Timothy and Justin Lefebvre, Assunta and her husband Vincenzo, and Anna Gazzillo; many nephews, nieces extended family and friends both here in Worcester and in Italy. including, her best friend Josie DellaStritto whom she talked to daily. One of four children, in addition to her parents and husband, Maria was predeceased by a brother Angelo Piombino, two sisters, Frances Grimaldi and Anna Piombino and a niece recently, Anna Grimaldi.

Maria was a long-time member of the Church of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel-St Ann and the Church of St. Anne in Shrewsbury. A resolute mother, Maria found her greatest joy, caring for her family, cooking, her Italian delicacies, tending to her garden, making homemade wine and limoncello, and having her family around her notably for the traditional Sunday dinners. Maria also enjoyed, the occasional scratch ticket, watching TV notably the Italian channels, and her daily soap operas. She was all about family, their success and remained devoted to them throughout life. She will be sorely missed.

Maria’s family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. June Blanco, Dr Jeffery Shih, and Dr. Elise Pyun, and the 3rd floor CCU, at UMASS on the Lake for the care, comfort, and compassion they gave to our mother during a difficult time.

Family and friends are invited to gather with the family from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm Friday January 5th, in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 370 Plantation St. Her funeral will be held on Saturday, January 6th, from the funeral home, with a procession to St Anne’s Church, 130 Boston Turnpike Rd, Shrewsbury where her Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 am. Burial next to Pietro and other family members will follow in St. Johns Cemetery. To leave a message of condolence or share a special memory of Maria please visit www.mercadantefuneral.com