Maria "Mary" (DiPaolo) Minghella

           Maria (DiPaolo) “Mary” Minghella, 96, of Stoneham passed away peacefully at her home with her family by her side on Sunday, December 18, 2022. 

           Born on October 27, 1926 in Cassino, Italy, Mary was the loving daughter of the late Domenico DiPaolo and Carolina (Angelosanto) DiPaolo.  Mary was a warm, generous and loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister in law and friend who will be truly missed by all who knew her.

Mary came to America from Italy at the age of 14. She was very proud of her heritage and where she came from. Mary was one of the first members of the Stoneham Women’s Sons of Italy Lodge, an organization she was very proud to be part of. She was an active member of Saint Patrick’s Church in Stoneham, making fried dough at several church events.

In her early years, she worked at Copley Shoes in Wakefield and later moved on to Marilyn Sandal Shoe Company, the largest shoe company in Stoneham. After her children grew she returned to work part time with BayState Box Factory in Stoneham. 

Family was first and foremost in Mary’s life. When Mary and Pete bought their home on Spring St. in Stoneham it was a turkey farm. They raised many chickens, rabbits, goats and had a pig. Loving her family so much, the land was later developed, allowing her children to build homes so they could all live close together. She was involved in all of her children’s activities as well as her grandchildren. Her grandchildren held a special place in her heart. Mary was an old school Italian who put family first. 

She had many hobbies such as caring for animals, gardening, sports, especially watching the Celtics, cooking, crocheting and making so many keepsakes for others. She also had a great love and attachment to all her neighbors.

           Mary was the beloved wife of Attilio “Pete” Minghella for many years.  She was the devoted mother of Peter Minghella, Carol Koulouris and her husband John and Lisa Marie Minghella. Mary was like a second mother to Joseph Mahoney. The cherished grandmother of John Koulouris and his fiancé Taylor Remington, Nicholas Koulouris, Christina Koulouris and Adrianna Koulouris. Mary is the dear sister of the late Ida Secondini and her late husband Dominico and the late Leondina DiPaolo. Mary was the daughter in law of the late Antonia (Rotondo) Minghella and Carmine Minghella.  She is also lovingly survived by many nieces and nephews.

          A Funeral Mass Celebrating Mary’s Eternal Life will be held tomorrow, Wednesday, December 21st at 10am in Saint Patrick Church, 71 Central Street Stoneham.  Family and friends are cordially invited to gather and share memories with Mary’s Family tomorrow, Wednesday beginning at 8am in the Barile Family Funeral Home, 482 Main Street (RT 28) STONEHAM.  Parking attendants and elevator are available.  Interment Saint Patrick’s Cemetery, Stoneham.

         In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations in Mary’s memory to Saint Patrick Church, 71 Central Street Stoneham, Massachusetts 02180 or to MSPCA 350 South Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02130.