MANDARANO, Elizabeth “Betty” (Papasodaro) “Nunny” - Of Dedham, passed away on September 9th, 2010 with her family by her side. Betty came to the Boston area when she was 12 years old. She was born in the town of Centrache in the Calabria region of Italy, as Elizabeth Papasodaro on October 15th, 1925. She settled in the North End of Boston with her mother Catherina Maria Papasodaro. While there, she learned a new language, “English”, and one of her proudest accomplishments was becoming an American citizen. Betty married in 1946 to Vincent N. Mandarano of Norwood, MA after his return from World War II. After living in Everett for several years, Betty and Vincent (Jimmy) moved to Dedham, MA where they raised their four children and lived for 54 years to the present day. Betty was a devoted mother and loving wife to her husband of 64 years. Betty was also a fabulous Italian cook. There was no dish beyond her superb talent. From her raviolis to her pizzelles, everything she prepared was the best. In addition to being a meticulous homemaker, Betty was instrumental in helping to establish and grow several family businesses. Her hobbies included sewing, a skill she learned at a young age. The beauty of her home also extended to the outdoors where her amazing gardening talent was on display year round. Betty was a loving, caring, and special person, and she will be sadly missed by all of those who knew her.
She is survived by her loving husband Vincent; her son Frank Mandarano and his wife Teresa of Boynton Beach, FL; her daughter Kathleen Carey of Dedham, MA; her son Vincent N. Mandarano, Jr. and his wife Sara of Norwood, MA; and her daughter Connie DiBona and her husband Anthony of Foxboro, MA. She was the proud grandmother of nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren whom she adored. They include Frank Mandarano, Jr. and wife Connie of Loxahatchee, FL; John P. Carey of Plymouth, MA (deceased); Mark J. Carey of Plymouth, MA; Vincent G. Carey and wife Tracy of Plymouth, MA; Elizabeth Bradshaw of Boynton Beach, FL; Elizabeth M. Dyer and husband Ben of Norton, MA; Vincent N. Mandarano, III of Norwood, MA; Elissa M. DiBona of Foxboro, MA; and Katherine E. DiBona of Foxboro, MA. Great grandchildren include Julia Carey of Plymouth, MA and Grace Dyer of Norton, MA. Also, brother Frank Rizzitiello of Hyde Park, MA; sister Joan Rizzo of Hyde Park, MA; sister-in-law Frances Walker and husband William Walker (both deceased) of Norwood, MA; brother-in-law Frank Mandarano and wife Joanne of Dover, DE; sister-in-law Mary Dunn of Palm Springs, CA; brother-in-law Rocco Lore of Norwood, MA; sister-in-law Caroline Ralli and husband William of Walpole, MA; and Betty’s many nieces and nephews.
Funeral from the George F. Doherty & Sons Wilson-Cannon Funeral Home, 456 High St. DEDHAM, Thursday, Sept. 16, at 10 AM. Funeral Mass in St. Mary’s Church, Dedham, at 11 AM. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Visiting hours Wednesday 4-8 PM. Entombment Blue Hill Cemetery, Braintree.
Expressions of sympathy may be made in honor of Elizabeth Mandarano’s memory to: Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Lymphoma Research, 10 Brookline Place West, 6th floor, Brookline, MA 02445. Attn: Contribution Services.
The family wishes to thank all of the wonderful and compassionate staff at Caritas Hospice of Norwood, MA, as well as the staff at South Shore Hospital of Weymouth, MA.