Angela M. Abuisi, 89
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Angela M. Abuisi, 89, formerly of 85 Eagle St., St. Joseph's Court, died Sunday, Sept. 24, 2009, at Sweet Brook Care Centers in Williamstown, where she had resided since 2000.
Born in North Adams on Feb. 5, 1917, daughter of Francesco and Elizabeth Lombardo Cirullo, she attended local schools. She was a longtime resident of 47 Prospect St. before moving to St. Joseph's Court.
Mrs. Abuisi was employed by the former North Adams State College, now Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, for eight years, retiring in 1979. Before that, she worked for the former Sprague Electric Co. for 33 years.
She was a communicant of St. Anthony's Church and a member of several church societies, including the Rosary Society and the Christian Mothers. She enjoyed being part of the church society at St. Anthony's Church and was active in all of its events. She was the host of countless family and neighborhood gatherings.
She was also a member of the Sons of Italy Lodge 704, the Sprague Electric Local IUE and the LaFesta Committee. She enjoyed baking.
She was active in civic affairs and volunteered at the voting wards. In 1997, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. In her name, thousands of dollars have been raised annually by family and friends in fundraising events in the hope of finding a cure for Alzheimer's.
Her husband, Anthony T. Abuisi Sr., died Feb. 8, 2000, after 63 years of marriage. The couple were married June 5, 1937, in St. Anthony's Church.
She leaves a daughter, Mary E. Whitman and her husband, Wiliam, of Adams; three sons, Anthony T. Abuisi Jr. and his wife, Mary Ann, of North Adams, Peter M. Abuisi of Vail, Colo., and Francis B. Abuisi and his wife, Joyce, of Bethlehem, Pa.; four sisters, Mary Bellows of Southport, N.C., Virginia Strange of Pittsfield, and Rose LeBeau and Frances Rondeau, both of North Adams; seven grandchildren, Lisa, Lucinda and Letitia of North Adams, Jeffrey of Portsmouth, R.I., Keith of Stamford, Vt., Nathaniel of Baltimore and Evan of Adams; seven great-grandchildren, Amanda, Zachary and Zoe of North Adams, Isabella and Anthony of Portsmouth, R.I., and Nicholas and Nolan of Stamford, Vt.; a great-great-grandson, Jacob of North Adams, and nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by two brothers, James and Michael Cirullo, and by a sister, Theresa Gonyea.
FUNERAL NOTICE — The funeral for Mrs. Abuisi will be Thursday, Sept. 28, at 12:15 at Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, Central Chapels, 74 Marshall St., North Adams, with a funeral Mass at 1 at St. Anthony's Church. Burial will follow in Southview Cemetery.
Calling hours at the funeral home will be tomorrow from 5 to 7. Donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or St. Anthony Capital Campaign, both in care of the funeral home.