Antoinette D. "Toni" Messina

Antoinette "Toni" D. (Perna) Messina, passed away peacefully on Wednesday September 17, 2008, in the Saint Francis Home, Worcester, in the company of her devoted sons. She celebrated her ninety sixth birthday, with a party on August 29th, 2008.

Her husband, Vincent Messina, died in 1990. She is survived by two sons, Vincent Messina, Jr. and his wife Marilyn of Shrewsbury and Richard Messina of Worcester and Janice Babbitt of Holden; four grandchildren, Lori Beauregard and her husband Craig of Standish, Maine, Josephine Bush and her husband Michael of McKinney, Texas, David Messina and his wife Katie of Holden, and Vincent Messina and his wife Luciana of Hudson, MA; three great grandchildren, Mackenzie and Madison Messina and Nicholas Beauregard; two sisters, Margaret Mattero of Shrewsbury and Rose Mercadante of West Boylston; several nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by a brother, Michael Perna and a sister Josephine Kalagher.

Antoinette was born in Shrewsbury, daughter of Nicholas and Mary (Giofreda) Perna, and lived in Worcester her whole life. Before moving to Saint Francis Home, she spent many happy years living on Caprera Road and in the Seabury Heights Apartments.

She worked for many years in the former Nancy Howard, Company. She was a long time member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel-Saint Ann Church, and found much comfort in her faith. In earlier times she had enjoyed needlework and BINGO. She was an excellent cook and the door to her kitchen was open to all. Antoinette was a lovely, caring woman and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the staff at the Saint Francis Home, who provided her with such excellent care over the last several years.

FUNERAL SERVICES: The funeral for Antoinette will be held Saturday, September 20, from MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester, with a Mass at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of Mount Carmel-Saint Ann Church, 24 Mulberry Street, Worcester. Interment will follow in Mountain View Cemetery, Shrewsbury. Calling hours will be held Friday, September 19, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. in the funeral home.