Teresa E. Lippiello

Teresa E. Lippiello (Vignali), age 101, a long-time resident of Wilmington, passed away peacefully on December 23, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Rome, Italy, on September 25, 1924, Teresa was the cherished daughter of the late Eligio and Ada (Burattini) Vignali. She was raised and educated in Italy, and during the outbreak of World War II, she relocated north to Tuscany with her family. It was there that she met a handsome young American soldier, Salvatore Lippiello. They fell in love and were married on May 20, 1946.

Following Salvatore's discharge from the Army, Teresa and Salvatore returned to his home area in the United States, settling in Somerville, Massachusetts, where they began raising their family. In 1957, they moved to Wilmington, Massachusetts, where they made their home and raised their children.

Teresa was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. An amazing cook, she loved having her home filled with family and friends, always bringing everyone together around the table for a wonderful meal. She enjoyed entertaining her close circle of friends and hosting gatherings in her home.

A woman of many talents and a dedicated hard worker, Teresa began her career as a seamstress in Boston, working in a local factory making sportswear. She later started her own business from her home in Wilmington, specializing in custom dresses and alterations. As her business grew, she moved into a shop in the Gardner Building in Wilmington and later to a location on the corner of Park Street, where she expanded into creating custom draperies. Teresa worked alongside her daughters at the family shop in Wilmington Center before retiring. She had a wonderful rapport with her customers and was known as a meticulous seamstress whose work was always of the highest quality.

In her spare time, Teresa enjoyed shopping and was a talented crafter who knitted and crocheted beautiful gifts for her family. She never forgot her Italian roots and traveled back "home" with her children to visit family and friends, teaching them cherished Italian traditions.

Teresa was a woman of unwavering faith and a devout Catholic. She was an active parishioner at St. Thomas of Villanova Church in Wilmington for many years. She had a deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and prayed the Rosary daily, instilling in her children the importance of faith, family, and unconditional love for others.

Teresa had a quiet demeanor and a beautiful soul. She loved her family with all her heart and will forever live on in the memories they share.

She was the beloved wife of the late Salvatore A. Lippiello; devoted mother of the late Patrick L. Lippiello and his wife Diane of Houston, TX, Virginia F. "Gina" Gath and her late husband James R. Gath of North Andover, John P. Lippiello and his wife Shelley of Wilmington, and Ada M. Peters and her husband Mark of Dracut.

She was the loving "Grammy" of Christine Banewski and her husband Scott, Michael Gath and his wife Kristen, Brian Gath and his wife Shannon, James Gath, Steven Gath and his wife Katie, Sarah Alvarado and her husband Alejandro, Lisa McDonough, John Lippiello Jr., Sean Peters, Christina Bentley and her husband Rob, Mark Peters and his wife Aimee, Michael Fowler and his wife Misti, Barry Fowler, Andrew Buckley and his wife Amy, and Dianne Merbach and her husband Marcus; and cherished "Grammy Lolo" to her great-grandchildren Ethan, Cameron, Laina, Connor, Liam, Matteo, Mari, Caitlin, Isla, Sean, Logan, Landon, Hunter, Hailey, Emily, Hannah, Jacob, Nicholas, Joshua, and Nathan.

Teresa was predeceased by her dear siblings Ernesto, Francesca, and Abby.

Family and friends are invited to attend Visiting Hours at Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rte. 62), Wilmington, on Wednesday, December 31st, from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Thomas of Villanova Church, 126 Middlesex Ave., Wilmington, at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Teresa's memory may be made to the Parish of the Transfiguration (St. Thomas Church) and mailed to the rectory at 11 Harnden St., Wilmington, MA 01887.

To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit www.nicholsfuneralhome.com