Mafalda G. (Grande) Musacchio

Mafalda Musacchio passed away peacefully June 23rd at the home of her beloved grandson Jason Kilgour and his wife Beth. Mafalda was about to celebrate her 98th birthday on June 30th. She had previously lived at 39 Main St in Greenfield, MA for 74 years. Her husband of 57 years, Dominic Musacchio passed away in 2002.

Mafalda was born in Amato, Italy on June 30th, 1923. Her parents, Joseph Grande and Amalia (Scerbo) Grande emigrated to America when Mafalda was 15 years old to North Adams, MA. Mafalda has six siblings. Deceased are two brothers Peter and Dominic Grande and two sisters Helena Alcaro and Filomena Demo. She is survived by two sisters, Assunta Deane of North Adams and Marie Roy of Venice, Florida. Mafalda has four children, Andrew and his wife Susan of Bernardston, MA, John and his wife Wanda of Heath, MA, Donna and her husband William Kilgour of Greenfield, MA and Joseph and his wife Perry Pomeroy of Hamilton, MA. Mafalda leaves eight grandchildren; Jason, Kristin, Mark, Leah, Dominic, Sadye, Greta and Max, and nine great grandchildren; Katie, Makenzie, Shane, Cole, Ava, Lola, Larsen, Tristan and Tyler. She also leaves one great great granddaughter Sage.

Mafalda did not look for work, it found her. She was a GREAT seamstress taught by nuns in Italy at an early age and could do every kind of needle work meticulously. The work that found her was at Alibers Bridal Shop doing hand alterations on wedding gowns.

She was a great cook to say the least. Her Sunday dinners included a spaghetti sauce cooked for two days with cuts of beef and pork. This sauce could never be topped with the most delicious meat imaginable. Her meatballs that were first fried in olive oil hardly made the sauce because we all feasted on them before she could add them to her sauce. We were all beaten back by the quichatta when we were caught snitching them.

Mafalda loved people and they loved her. She liked to bowl and was terrible at it but she was always the hit of the alleys. As her vision declined with age she became the best blind Bingo player this side of the Mississippi. She was a socialite, and enjoyed being with friends and family. She also sang in the choir at Holy Trinity Church and was a member of the Rosary Society and Emblem Club. She charmed everyone around her with her comical innocence and brought joy to everyone around her. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, etc. She was devoted to God. Her unconditional persistent devotion to God set a high bar for all of us. She was real. Christian love and her sacrifice to put everyone first gave comfort to us all. Nonni, you will be missed but never forgotten. May we the living be inspired by your love and be comforted by your example. We are so happy for you to have finally found the peace that you deserve with your Lord and Savior.

Calling hours will be Tuesday, June 29, from 6 to 8 pm at the Smith-Kelleher Funeral Home, 87 Franklin St., Greenfield.

A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Wednesday, June 30 the anniversary of her 98th birthday, at Holy Trinity Church, 133 Main St., Greenfield. Committal prayers will follow in Calvary Cemetery with reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please support Pioneer Valley Hospice & Palliative Care, 329 Conway St., Suite 2, Greenfield, MA 01301

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