Obituary
Theresa (Pelagio) Oppedisano, of Somerville, passed away surrounded by the love of her family on February 24, 2024, she was 97.
Born in Arlington, she was the cherished daughter of Italian immigrants from Grotteria, Reggio Calabria, Italy – Rosa (Mazzaferro) and Giorgio Pelagio. She was the beloved wife of the late Antonio Oppedisano, and together they raised their large family in Somerville.
Theresa was a woman of strong faith, as an active member of St. Clement Parish she was a member of the Catholic Daughters and the Santa Rosalia Italian Club in Boston. She and her husband worked hard to provide for their family, she was a stitcher in the garment district with Priscilla’s of Boston and then Cambridge Coat. As a member of the garment workers union, she joined the picket lines in support of worker’s rights. Also proud of her Italian heritage, Theresa assisted many new Italian immigrants as they made their new lives in the Boston area. A fantastic cook, her door was always open and there was always room at her table for one more and she always made sure everyone had enough to eat. Above all, Theresa was devoted to her family and enjoyed nothing more than holidays and time spent together.
She is survived by her seven cherished children: Frances Ghergia and her husband Alfred of Stoneham, Joseph Oppedisano and his wife Anne of Malden, Lena Moscillo and her husband Joseph of Medford, Pasquale “Pat” Oppedisano and his wife Patricia of Somerville, Dominic Oppedisano and his wife Linda of Somerville, Anthony Oppedisano and his wife Teresa of Varese, Italy and Theresa Comeau and her husband Robert of Lynn.
Loving Nonna of Kristin Scioli, Mark Ghergia, Adam, Brian, Shaun, Evan and Ryan Oppedisano, Carli Wescott , Andrea Newton, Brett, Alexa, Vanessa, Aliana, Raquel, Dana, Jackie, Gianluca, Bianca and Anthony Oppedisano, Jr., Alyse and Robert Comeau and a Great-Nonna of 17 great-grandchildren.
Dear sister of Maria Bruzzese and her late husband Salvatore of Gloucester, Rodolfo Pelagio and his wife Settimia of Italy and the late Francesco “Frank” Pelagio and his wife Rosa of Somerville. Sister-in-law of the late Giovanna “Jenny” Luca and her husband Nicodemo of Perth, Australia, Lidia Oppedisano and her husband Charlie of Melbourne, Australia and Lina Caccamo and her husband Salvatore of Sydney, Australia. She is further survived by many loving nieces and nephews around the world.
Calling Hours will be held in the George L. Doherty Funeral Home, 855 Broadway (Powder House Sq.) Somerville on Monday morning, March 4th from 8:30AM to 10:30AM, followed by a Funeral Mass celebrated in St. Clement Church at 11AM. Relatives and friends invited to attend.
Services will conclude with burial at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. If you wish, donations in Theresa’s memory can be made to a charity of your choice.