Mafalda K. (Vessella) Caliri
November 21, 1912 — January 29, 2015
Mafalda K. (Vessella) Caliri
known lovingly as Nonnie, passed away peacefully Thursday morning at age 102.
Mafalda lived at home, cooked meatballs on Sunday and shoveled snow until age 99. She adored her family and was close to God.
She was a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother to so many. To meet her was to be in the presence of a true Christian. She cared not about material things, but about nurturing those around her and helping them find true happiness.
In the winter of 1912, she was born to Scholastica and Francesco Vessella, two Italian immigrants from Caserta. In 1935, she married a Sicilian cobbler, Antonio Caliri. They had a simple wedding where she carried three orchids as her bouquet. That same year, she registered to vote just to cast a ballot for Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who made an impression on her when he spoke in Providence.
The Caliri's lived in her childhood home which she loved dearly on What Cheer Avenue. They had one son, Philip Caliri. In 1950, she and her husband bought their lifelong home a few blocks from her parents' house.
She lived a full and happy life and is now at peace resting next to her husband, Antonio.
Mafalda leaves her son, Philip and his wife Carole Caliri, her honorary daughter Inge Castedello Caliri, her brother Alphonse Vessella, three grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and many loving nieces and nephews. She loved her parents, sisters and brothers who predeceased her.
Her funeral will be held on Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. from the NARDOLILLO FUNERAL HOME & Crematory, 1278 Park Ave., Cranston followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. in St. Bartholomew's Church, Laurel Hill Ave., Providence. Entombment will take place in St. Ann Cemetery Mausoleum, Cranston. VISITING HOURS will be Tuesday from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Mafalda lived at home, cooked meatballs on Sunday and shoveled snow until age 99. She adored her family and was close to God.
She was a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother to so many. To meet her was to be in the presence of a true Christian. She cared not about material things, but about nurturing those around her and helping them find true happiness.
In the winter of 1912, she was born to Scholastica and Francesco Vessella, two Italian immigrants from Caserta. In 1935, she married a Sicilian cobbler, Antonio Caliri. They had a simple wedding where she carried three orchids as her bouquet. That same year, she registered to vote just to cast a ballot for Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who made an impression on her when he spoke in Providence.
The Caliri's lived in her childhood home which she loved dearly on What Cheer Avenue. They had one son, Philip Caliri. In 1950, she and her husband bought their lifelong home a few blocks from her parents' house.
She lived a full and happy life and is now at peace resting next to her husband, Antonio.
Mafalda leaves her son, Philip and his wife Carole Caliri, her honorary daughter Inge Castedello Caliri, her brother Alphonse Vessella, three grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and many loving nieces and nephews. She loved her parents, sisters and brothers who predeceased her.
Her funeral will be held on Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. from the NARDOLILLO FUNERAL HOME & Crematory, 1278 Park Ave., Cranston followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. in St. Bartholomew's Church, Laurel Hill Ave., Providence. Entombment will take place in St. Ann Cemetery Mausoleum, Cranston. VISITING HOURS will be Tuesday from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m.
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