Eleanor M. Massaro, 83

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Eleanor Massaro, 83, of Pittsfield passed away Friday, July 22, 2016. She had family and those that cared for and loved her by her side.

Born on September 2, 1932, she was the daughter of Leo and Mary Eleanor Keegan Haskell. She grew up in Pittsfield and was a graduate of Central High School.

In heaven, she will join her husband and love of her life Ralph, who preceded her in death April 27, 2013. They married September 15, 1951 at St Joseph's Church in Pittsfield. Ralph's brother, Father Joseph Massaro, performed the ceremony.

Eleanor was active in church activities for the former Mount Carmel and was a communicant of St. Agnes Church in Dalton. She was a member of the Lady's Guild of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church and enjoyed spending time with "the girls" of the Guild particularly for lunch. She worked for General Electric as a stenographer and for 25 years as a type setter at Quality Printing in Pittsfield before retiring in 1993.

Besides spending time with her family, Eleanor and Ralph loved being Florida snowbirds in Bradenton and turned summer trips to Ocean City, N.J., into a family tradition. She loved a party and, much to Ralph's chagrin, was often among the last to leave. She was an avid gardener, loved the beach and was one of the best at planning a vacation itinerary. The Red Sox were her team and Ralph was a Yankees fan, often making for a spirited watch of the game when the two teams faced off. Eleanor also loved the occasional day trip to Mohegan Sun or Foxwoods.

What was most important to her and her lifelong job was as a mother to the six children she and Ralph raised. Family was of great importance to Eleanor and it gave her great joy to watch her family grow bigger and bigger with grandchildren and then great-grandchildren. A holiday gathering at Ralph and El's was as chaotic as it was wonderful. Eleanor will be missed by her family and friends but never be forgotten and there is comfort in knowing she is in a better place that she so thoroughly deserves.

She leaves behind her children and their families, Patricia Lampiasi (Victor), Kathie Brown (William), Joseph Massaro, Mark Massaro (Tina), Paul Massaro (Kasey), and Karen Caccaviello (Paul); her twelve grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

Funeral notice: Funeral services for Eleanor Margaret Massaro, 83, of Pittsfield who passed away on July 22, 2016, will be held Wednesday, July 27, at 10 a.m. from the Dery Funeral Home in Pittsfield followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Agnes Church in Dalton celebrated by the Rev. Christopher Malatesta, pastor. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery in Pittsfield.

Calling hours will be held Tuesday, July 26, 2016, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions in memory of Eleanor may be made to Hospice Care in the Berkshires in care of the funeral home, 54 Bradford Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201.