Caterina "Rina" Lacopo

1934 - 2025

Caterina "Rina" Lacopo
1934 - 2025
East Longmeadow
Caterina "Rina" Lacopo passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on Saturday, October 18, 2025.
Born on October 20, 1934, in Gerace, Reggio Calabria, Italy, Rina was the cherished daughter of Giovanni and Paola Agostino. In 1950, she married the love of her life, Francesco Lacopo, and together they began a lifelong partnership built on devotion, faith, and family. In 1958, they immigrated to America, settling in Springfield, Massachusetts, where they built their home and raised their family exceeding all their hopes and dreams.
Rina was guided by a deep faith in God, she faithfully recited the rosary daily. She attended mass weekly and watched Mass on television, remaining a devoted communicant of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church and St. Anthony devotions.
A skilled seamstress who worked at Carter's, Rina's true vocation was as a homemaker. She poured her heart into caring for her family-doing everything with love: cooking, cleaning, gardening, celebrating, and hosting countless gatherings. Her kitchen was the center of it all, where she made everything from scratch-bread, homemade pizza, fresh pasta, cookies, cream puffs, blueberry muffins, pies, and every baked good imaginable. Food was her love language, and every meal was an act of generosity and joy.
She lovingly cared for her husband, Francesco, cooking for him every single day. Rina expressed her affection through overly generous thoughtful, traditional gifts to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and other meaningful treasures to be passed down through generations.
Rina was kind, unselfish, and wise, a woman who knew the value of hard work, faith, and family. She was also practical-a good saver-and always found joy in simple pleasures and in giving to others. A smart businesswoman who achieved every goal she set.
Rina is survived by her loving children: Maria "Marisa" Raschilla and husband Francesco of East Longmeadow; Paolina Stalteri and husband Michele (deceased) of Toronto, Canada; Joseph "Tony" Lacopo and wife Susan of East Longmeadow; and Manni Mancuso and husband Joseph "Tony" Mancuso with whom she lived in East Longmeadow.
She was a devoted Nonna and Great-Nonna to her beloved grandchildren: Stefania Raschilla, Antonella Manzi (Andrew), Carlo Raschilla (Carla), Francesco Raschilla, Juliana Kisielewski (Darek), Romina Costa (Nick), Alexandria Gladstone (Eli), Francesco Lacopo, Amanda Lacopo, and Julia Lacopo, and Francesco Mancuso; and to her great-grandchildren: Liliana, Caterina, Kevin, Graysen, Violet, Logan, Francesco, and Colby.
She is also survived by her sisters-in-law Teresa Agostino of Indiana and Pierina Oppedisano (Vincent) of Ohio, and her brother-in-law Domenico Lacopo (Maria) of Italy.
Rina was predeceased by her beloved husband Francesco Lacopo of 68 years; her infant son Giuseppe; her parents Giovanni and Paola; her sister Maria Agostino and her brothers Francesco Agostino (Beatrice) and Pietro Agostino.
Rina's family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Darren O'Neill for his kindness and excellent care, which she always found to be a great comfort.
Family and friends are invited to gather for visiting hours on Tuesday, October 21, from 4–7 PM at Forastiere Smith Funeral & Cremation, 220 North Main St., East Longmeadow.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 22nd beginning at the funeral home at 8:30AM followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial, to be celebrated at 10AM, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, Springfield where she worshipped faithfully for 67 years. Entombment will conclude in the Gate of Heaven Most Holy Redeemer Mausoleum, Springfield. For online condolences please visit www.forastiere.com.
In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Pl., Memphis, TN 38105-1905 in Rina's honor.
Rina's life was a beautiful example of devotion-to faith, to family, and to love itself. Her warmth, generosity, and spirit will live on in every recipe passed down, every celebration shared, and every act of kindness done in her memory.