Maryann Lupa

Maryann Spada Lupa, 55, of Bristol, died at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford, on Aug. 1, 2010, following a long battle with breast cancer. She died with her family around her, without pain and in peace.

She was born Oct. 9, 1954, in New Britain. She was the daughter of the late Alice (Roche) and John P. Spada Sr., of Plainville. She was one of six children. On October 9, 1976, she married Stanley J. Lupa, who survives her. She graduated from Plainville High School in 1974. Thereafter, she attended Vaughn Barber School in Hartford and attained her master barber license, becoming the first female barber in the State of Connecticut. Along with her business partner, Nancy Buden, She owned the Family Barber Shop in Plainville, and "cut hair" there for 38 years. She was proud to have trimmed, buzzed, permed and dyed the hair of thousands of people in her community. She loved her vocation and cared deeply for her clients. She had a fearless heart. She was the matriarch of her large family for several years, and was an inspiration for many. She set an example for others by being an ethical, assertive, intelligent and compassionate woman. She wore many hats. She was beloved and will be missed.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Stanley J. Lupa, of Bristol; her daughter, Katherine Lupa Matthews and son-in-law, Peter, of Bristol; her daughter, Sarah Anne Lupa, of Plainville; mother-in-law, Stella Lupa, of Bristol, and sister-in-law, Krys Wallace, and her husband, Dennis, of Salisbury, Mass.; her granddaughter, Anna Deborah Matthews, of Bristol; her sisters, Pamela Spada Ouellette, and her husband Phil, of Bristol; Susan Spada Darling, and her husband, Kenneth, of Chesapeake, Va.; and Sandra Spada Hergott, and her husband, Patrick, of Plainville; her brothers, John P. Spada Jr., of Plainville, and Richard S. Spada and his husband, Robert G. Childers, of Boston, Mass.; her nieces and nephews, Fawn, Beau and Mollie Ouellette, Emily Darling, Edward and Laura Wallace, and Olivia and Charles Hergott; as well as several cousins, aunts and uncles. The family would like to thank the dedicated staff at St. Francis Hospital for their genuine compassion and kindness.

The funeral was held Aug. 7, 2010, at O'Brien Funeral Home, Bristol, to St. Stanislaus Roman Catholic Church, Bristol for a Mass. Mass will be followed by interment at St. Joseph Cemetery, Bristol. Memorial donations may be made to the Connecticut Breast Health Initiative, P. O. Box 566, New Britain, CT 06050. You may donate online at www.ctbhi.org/donations/.