Andreina Irene Sarzanini

BARRE - Andreina Irene Sarzanini, 90, of Stafford Street, passed away peacefully on Nov. 23, 2008, at Central Vermont Medical Center with her family by her side. She was born April 13, 1918, in Carrara, Italy, to Andrea and Clara (Tonelli) Tavarelli.

Educated in Carrara, she became an exceptional seamstress. She married Bruno Sarzanini in Carrara on April 28, 1937. He passed away on Feb. 14, 1976. They made their home in Cararra until 1948, when Bruno came to Barre at the request of the Barre Granite Association and worked for Rock of Ages as the lead sculptor. The family was reunited three years later. Irene, as she was best known by her American friends, arrived in New York City aboard the U.S.S. Independence on Christmas Eve in 1951 with her two sons Andrea and Giorgio. From there they took the night train to Vermont, where they first lived on Maple Avenue, then moved to Fortney Place, where daughter Mary Anne was born in 1954, and then finally made their home on Stafford Street in 1963.

Irene was best known to friends and neighbors as a quality seamstress, providing fast, efficient and flawless service to the major dress shops in Barre, as well as to private clients. With great precision, there was nothing she couldn't sew, alter or mend that did not reflect her unique talent. We will always remember her sewing room adorned with beautiful bridal gowns she magically tailored to perfection for brides to be.

Besides sewing, Irene enjoyed cooking Italian delicacies and passed on these traditional recipes to her children and grandchildren, especially her Christmas pasta frolla, which she lovingly made to share with family and friends. She loved mushrooming, visiting with her Italian friends and spending special time with her grandchildren. She especially enjoyed traveling with the senior citizen groups visiting many U.S. tourist destinations, but treasured going back to Italy each summer. She was most proud to have shaken the hand of two U.S. presidents and been blessed by Pope John Paul II, all of whom were captured in photographs displayed in her home for all to see.

She leaves behind son Andrea and his wife Pina, of Rome, Italy; son Giorgio and fiancé Brenda Seely of Biddeford, Maine; and daughter, Mary Anne Cassani and husband Louie of Barre. She is also survived by grandchildren Elizabeth and husband Richard; Christine and husband Max; Robert; Leighann and husband Randy; Christopher; Emily; Joe, and great-grandchildren Katherine, Isabella, Quinn and Rowan.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, Nov. 29, at 1 p.m. at the Hooker and Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy Street, Barre, with burial to follow at Hope Cemetery. There are no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice, 600 Granger Road, Barre, VT 05641Visit the guest book at www.timesargus.com/obits.