Mary Grace “Gracie” (Grasso) Carcerano, a long-time Medford resident, died Monday at the Massachusetts General Hospital. She was 95.
Gracie was born and raised in Ariano Irpino, Avelino, Italy, the daughter of the late Nicola and the late Lorenza (Zizza) Grasso. She came to the United States as a young bride at the age of 20. She and her husband first lived their first 23 years together in the North End of Boston where they began their family. 52 years ago they moved to Medford, the place she loved the best. Gracie was a devout woman who was active at Saint Francis Parish for many years. She was a member of the Mother’s Club and Senior’s Club at St. Francis and walked to morning mass, even as she approached 90 years old. Gracie was a woman who was entirely devoted to her family. She was a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother. Her simple philosophy of life inspired her family and helped keep the family close.
She was the beloved wife of the late Louis. She was a loving mother to Josephine Cruikshank of Malden, Laureen Carcerano of Medford, Jean Swanson and her husband Ed of Kensington, NH, Grace Carcerano of Napa, CA, Mary Duncan and her husband Dave of Wakefield, the late Emanuel and Nicholas Carcerano. She was a devoted mother-in-law to Caroline of Watertown and Lupe of El Paso, TX. She also leaves 16 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren who loved her dearly.
Her funeral will be from the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford, Monday at 8 AM followed by a funeral mass celebrated in St. Francis Of Assisi Church, 441 Fellsway West, Medford, at 9 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend and may visit with the family Sunday from 4-8. Services will conclude with burial at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford.