Olympia (Sammarco) Lalli, 86, passed away with her daughter at her side on Monday, February 21, 2011 at Riverbend Nursing Home in Natick, following a very courageous battle with cancer. She was the beloved wife of the late Antimo A. Lalli who passed away in 1988. She was born in Newton, MA, in 1925, the daughter of Italian immigrants, the late Giovanni (John) Anthony Sammarco and Antonia Vara Sammarco. Her father wanted to come to America because he said he wanted a better life for his children. She was the baby of fifteen children, of which 11 survived past infancy. She was the sister of Maddalena, Carmine, Lena, Michael, Maria, Rocchina,, Anthony, John & Anne (twins) and Lillian who all passed before her.
She is survived by her daughter, Elaine Hart and her husband Brad Hart of Natick and her son, Vincent Lalli of Milford. Besides her children, she is survived by her beloved Grandchildren, Paula Hart of Natick, Brad Hart II and his wife Melissa Hart of Amherst, NH. She is also survived by her cherished Great Grandchildren, Brad Hart III, William Hart, Benjamin Hart and Angel (AJ) Burgos. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews who she adored. She also leaves many dear friends who she cared deeply for throughout the years. She also loved her special Golden Retrievers Honey and Rusty. She was affectionately called “Olly” by her friends and “Aunt Limp” by her nieces and nephews.
She moved to Needham as a child and spent her formative years during the depression and World War II. Although she was an honor roll student, she left school in the 11th grade to go to work when her brother John went to war to ensure her elderly parents would be provided for. She worked at Sherman Paper Company in Newton progressing during the years from machine operator to supervisor. She was also a Sunday School teacher at St. Mary’s church in Newton. Her father had a large garden and her mother was skilled at canning and preserving food. Her childhood was filled with great Italian cooking, large family gatherings, fun and mischief with her youngest siblings and friends and most of all lots of laughter.
Throughout her life, she enjoyed cooking Italian food for her family, dancing with her husband, knitting, bowling, playing word games, crossword puzzles, playing the accordion and organ and especially being with her beloved family & friends sharing all of her colorful stories and much laughter. In her later years, she enjoyed going to Dunkin Donuts in Natick with her dear friend to see the regular crew for morning coffee and conversation.
She always influenced everyone around her with her gift of life, love, caring, generosity, positive attitude and humor. She loved being sociable and having family and friends around her brought her great comfort & joy. Most of all, she had a great faith in the Lord and that faith sustained her to the end. She was an inspiration to all who knew her and she touched many lives young and old. She will be greatly missed.
“For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21.
Visitations will be held on Thursday, February 24, 2011 at the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street Natick (near the Natick common & post office) from 4:00-7:00PM then at 7:00PM, a memorial service will begin to remember her life. On Friday, at 11:00AM, burial will take place at St. Patrick’s cemetery on Pond Street in Natick.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to The Natick Baptist Church, 247 West Central Street, Natick, MA 01760.