Vera (Buffoni) Giarolo

Vera Giarolo, 101, died Tuesday, September 30th at Kimball Farms Nursing Care Center.

Born on April 23, 1924 in Lee, MA, one of nine children to Marco and Diana Piccini Buffoni, she grew up in the Little Italy section of Lee, living there for 95 years before moving to Kimball Farms.  Vera attended and graduated from Lee Schools then went to work for General Electric in her younger years.  At the age of 27 she married Ottavio Giarolo on May 26, 1951.  Tavio grew up just 2 houses away from Vera.  After their wedding, they built their home on Birch Street, just one street over from their childhood homes.  They celebrated 33 years of marriage until Tavio’s passing on September 30, 1984.  Vera’s love for sewing allowed her to make alterations for many people in Lee well into her retirement years.  Vera also had a passion for Italian culture, which came out in her cooking and travels.  Vera traveled to Italy with her sister Gloria, and Tavio’s cousin, Victor.  They saw many parts of Italy and visited relatives in Carrara and Monte Bello, where Vera and Tavio’s parents immigrated from.  Vera loved to play card games with her family, most notably rummy.  In her quiet time she could usually be found watching an old movie, working on a puzzle or completing  crosswords.  On June 10th of this year, she was awarded the Boston Post Cane.

Vera is survived by her two sons: Robert and his wife Cindy Giarolo and Paul and his wife Fiona Giarolo, all of Lee; her brother: Lawrence “Babe” Buffoni also of Lee; five grandchildren: Andrew, Adam, Tony, Tara and Deaglan; three great grandchildren: Katy, Sam and Ava. She is predeceased by her sisters: Gloria Griffin and Lea Zavattaro and five brothers: Raymond, Joseph, Everett, Harry and Mario Buffoni.

A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be on Friday, October 3rd at 10 AM at St. Mary’s Church in Lee.  Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery.  Visiting hours will be on Thursday from 4-6 PM at the Kelly Funeral Home in Lee.  Friends wishing may make donations to Kimball Farms Activity Fund in c/o the Kelly Funeral Home 3 Main Street, Lee, MA 01238.