Josephine Turra

Josephine Turra lived in Ayer for five decades; 88 AYER Josephine (Bartolo) Turra, 88, of Ayer, died Saturday, December 8, 2007, at the Apple Valley Center in Ayer. She was the wife of Frank Turra, who died February 14, 2001. Mrs. Turra was born in Pietraperzia, Sicily, Italy, Feb. 2, 1919, a daughter of Calogero and Lucia (Bonaffini) Bartolo, and moved to the North End of Boston when she was two years old. She and her family have resided in Ayer since 1954. During the 1930's and 1940's, Mrs. Turra worked as forelady in the Ladies Garment Industry in Boston. Mrs. Turra was a communicant of St. Mary's Church, and was a member of the Ayer Golden Agers Club. She was a fun loving person who enjoyed her family, cooking, playing bingo, bowling, and especially loved her dog, "Peppy." Mrs. Turra is survived by two sons and a daughter-in-law, Eugene F. and Diane Turra of Ayer, Dean E. Turra of Clinton; three daughters; Corinne J. Turra and her husband, Robert Cote of Westminster, Marlene E. Turra of Boston, Lorene M. Lange of Clinton. She leaves six grandchildren, Vickie Perkins, Kristen Turra, Allyson Turra, Francis Turra, Steven Turra, and Daniel Lange; as well as three great-grandchildren, Lauren Perkins, Kevin Perkins, and Olivia Josephine Perkins. She was the sister of the late Michael Bartolo and Vincenza Piccolo, both of the North End of Boston. Her funeral Mass will be celebrated 10 a.m., Wed., December 12th at St. Mary's Church, 31 Shirley St., Ayer. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Calling hours are 4-7 p.m. Tuesday at the T.J. Anderson & Son Funeral Home, 25 Fitchburg Rd., (Rte 2A), Ayer. Please see www.andersonfuneral.com for additional assistance. Memorial contributions may be made to the Autism Resource Center, 360 W. Boylston St., West Boylston, MA 01583 or to the Nashoba Nursing & Hospice Program, 2 Shaker Rd. Shirley, MA 01464.