Obituary: Lina Caparrotta
/Lina Caparrotta, 90
Lina Caparrotta, the quintessential Italian immigrant-family mother, known for her contagious laugh, keen sense of humor, and dedication to her family, died at home on Jan. 18 after long battles with breast cancer and dementia. She was 90.
Lina was never without a gentle smile and always welcomed family, friends, and newcomers into her home with a warm hug and a kiss.
Born Lina Marano in Calabria, Italy, she met and married her husband Giovanni there and raised their five children there before leaving her hometown for America in 1978 and settling in Hull to be near other family members.
Family meant the world to Lina, and she was a great source of support, encouragement, and love for her children and everyone around her, completely selfless, dedicating her life to the well-being of her family and to ensuring that her children fully pursued their educations.
Lina was a great cook, who delighted in preparing large family dinners, especially for the holidays. She loved singing along while her son Lino played guitar and Giovanni played mandolin. She had a sweet tooth – cannoli were her undoing – and every day had to include a few cups of espresso. She also enjoyed gardening, knitting, watching Italian TV programs, and spending summers with Giovanni in their native country.
She was a religious woman, devoted to St. Francis of Paola and to Padre Pio; she made several pilgrimages to their respective birthplaces.
She was the adored wife of the late Giovanni Caparrotta for 65 years, the loving mother of Marisa Caparrotta, of Italy; Ernesto Caparrotta and his fiancé, Janet Vinton, of Hull; Gianfranco Caparrotta and his wife, Rossana, of Hull; Maurizio Caparrotta, of Hull; and the late Lino Caparrotta and his wife, Giuliana, of Italy.
She was predeceased by three siblings – Carmelino Marano, Francesco Marano, and Teresa Latkovich – but is survived by sisters Raffaela LaScala, of Canada, and Ida Senatori, of Italy, as well as by five grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and a bevy of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
A funeral Mass was held in St. Mary’s Parish in St. Ann’s Church, Hull, on Jan. 24. Burial followed at Hull Village Cemetery.
Lina loved flowers but would have encouraged you to please consider a more tangible remembrance by supporting either the Dana Farber Cancer Institute (https://www.dana-farber.org/how-you-can-help/ways-to-give/) or Hospice of the South Shore (https://www.hospicefed.org/donations/).
