AUBURN – Mariolla “Mary” (Pojani) Spiro, 94, died peacefully with her family by her side on Saturday, July 2, 2011, at the Rose Monahan Hospice Residence in Worcester. She was predeceased by her husband, Pandi Spiro; and her daughter, Diana Loli. She is survived by her son, Thomas Spiro and his wife Joanne of Onset; and a son-in-law, Gabriel Loli of Auburn; six grandchildren, Cathy Anderson and her husband Donald, Sandra Loli and her husband Richard, Lisa Mitchell and her husband Roy, Brian Spiro, Stephen Spiro and his fiancee Abbey, and Jeffrey Spiro and his wife Kristina; and two great grandchildren, Madison Mitchell and Areh Boni. She was born in Korce, Albania, the daughter of the late Dhimitrag and Kleonigi (Kereku) Pojani, and came to the United States in 1932. She lived in Worcester for 33 years before moving to Auburn in 1985.
Mrs. Spiro was a member of St. Mary’s Assumption Albanian Orthodox Church, the Daughters of St. Mary’s, and the Albanian Women of America. She was an active member of the Dora Distria Society, and participated in dramas and ethnic benefits for the church. In addition, Mrs. Spiro was a member of the City Hospital Aid Society and the Liria Newspaper. Most recently, she was honored with being the recipient of The Standard Bearer of Holy Illyria award from the Archdiocese of Boston, for her commitment and service to the church
Mrs. Spiro work at Capital Shoe, Park Wire, and Woven Label, and for 10 years at the City Hospital School of Nursing as a house mother, retiring in 1983.
The funeral will be held from the Alfred Roy & Sons Funeral Home, 12 Hammond St., on Wednesday, July 6, 2011, with a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. in St. Mary’s Assumption Albanian Orthodox Church 535 Salisbury Street. Burial will follow in Hope Cemetery. Calling hours are on Tuesday, July 5, 2011, from 4-7 p.m. in the funeral home with a Trisagion Service at 6:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the St. Mary’s Assumption Albanian Orthodox Church Endowment Fund, 535 Salisbury St., Worcester, MA 01609, or to the Rose Monahan Hospice Residence, 10 Judith Road, Worcester, MA 01602. www.royfuneral.com