Lucia Patella

PITTSFIELD -- Lucia Patella, 88, formerly of Second Street, died Monday evening at Springside of Pittsfield, where she had resided since 1995.

Born in San Valentino, province of Pescara, Italy, on Feb. 17, 1915, daughter of Guiseppe and Laura DeAngelis Masciarelli, she attended schools in Italy. She came to the United States on Dec. 22, 1953.

Mrs. Patella had been employed as a housekeeper at Miss Hall's School for 10 years, retiring in 1980. Prior to that, she had worked at the former Pittsfield Coat Factory.

She was a longtime communicant of Mount Carmel Church. She enjoyed cooking, baking and sewing, and took great pride in her garden and flowers.

Her husband, Michael Patella, whom she married May 8, 1953, died Aug. 21, 1968.

She leaves a daughter, Laura Patella Taylor of Pittsfield; a stepson, Joseph Patella of Pittsfield; a stepdaughter, Mary Meandro of Pittsfield; a brother, Gino Masciarelli of Italy; a sister, Lauretta Rulli of Italy, 16 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

FUNERAL NOTICE -- The funeral for Lucia Patella, who died Monday, Dec. 8, 2003, will be Friday, Dec. 12, at 9:15 from DERY FUNERAL HOME, with a Liturgy of Christian Burial celebrated at 10 at Sacred Heart Church by the Rev. James K. Joyce, pastor. Burial will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery. Calling hours will be Thursday from 4 to 8 at the funeral home. Mrs. Patella was predeceased by three stepsons, Vincent, Michael and Augustino Patella, and two daughters-in-law, Barbara Gould Patella and Barbara Haskell Patella. She also leaves her son-in-law, Steven Taylor, and her daughter-in-law, Elia Patella. She was happiest while spending time with her family and grandchildren, especially Michael, with whom she spent much of her time, sharing her heritage and teaching him Italian. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital or to Brightside for Families and Children in care of the funeral home, 54 Bradford St., Pittsfield.