Gwendolyn E. Masciarelli

Gwendolyn E. Masciarelli died peacefully on Saturday, July 5, 2008 at Bradford-on-the Commons in Kennebunk, Maine. She was born in Philadelphia, PA on October 6, 1923, the daughter of John and Cordelia Fowler and attended and graduated from schools in Philadelphia. After graduation she worked for Pennsylvania Flexible Tubing and Pipe Company, supporting the war effort.

After meeting during the war, she married the love of her life, Augustus Masciarelli, in 1947 and moved to Dedham, Massachusetts where she became part of a large and very close extended family that included five very special sisters-in-law. It was here in Dedham that Gwen raised her family. She and Gus lived there until moving to Sagamore, MA in 1976. After Gus' retirement they moved to their much loved cottage on Popponesset Beach to live year-round in 1984. She has lived in Kennebunk since 2001, shortly after her husband died.

Gwen was active in several women's groups, among which were those from St. John's United Methodist Church, Dedham, the Waquoit Congregational Church, E. Falmouth, and the Mashpee Women's Club. She also loved spending time with her family, traveling and walking - especially on the beaches of Cape Cod, Florida and Maine.

She was predeceased by her parents, sisters Dorothea Burke and Kay Brown and her brother John Fowler as well as her beloved husband who died in 2000. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Cindy and James Roche of Athol, MA and her son and daughter-in-law, William and Barbara Masciarelli of Saco, ME.; four grandchildren Jeremy Roche and his wife Kara, Kori (Roche) Carroll and her husband Chris, Amanda Masciarelli and Alex Masciarelli; one great-granddaughter, Emma Roche as well as many nieces and nephews.

Friends and family may pay their respects at the John-Lawrence Funeral Home, 3778 Falmouth Rd. (Rt. 28), Marstons Mills, MA on Thursday July 10, 2008 at 12 PM with a celebration of her life to follow at 1 PM. Burial will be in the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, MA. Memorials in her name may be made to The American Lung Association, or the charity of one's choice.