Mary Ann (Spinosa) Erbafina passed away peacefully on Friday, October 8, 2021 at the age of 94. Born and raised in Somerville she was the daughter of the late Cosmo and Rosina Spinosa.
Mary was raised in Somerville, MA, but her family was originally from Gaeta, Italy. Her parents came to the United States on January 18, 1920, and started out in Cambridge, MA. Mary’s family later settled in Somerville in the late 1920’s where Mary was born at home on November 18, 1926. Mary graduated high school in 1944 and became proficient in typing which enabled her to begin her career at Westinghouse.
Mary wed Domenico Erbafina on April 16, 1950. Mary was devoted to her family. She continued to do odd typing jobs as her she reared her six kids. After the last child went to grade school, Mary worked at Harvard University for a well-known professor of entomology. There she became extremely proficient and thrived at administrative skills that she carried along to her other positions throughout her career. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great great grandmother. Mary’s passions included participating in sporting events of her children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed cooking, talking with friends and looked forward to spending time with family. Mary was a veracious reader; an incredible scrabble player; a painter; a knitter; a great typist; and loved great movies or series in any language. Mary always exercised and kept herself in sound physical condition. Mary’s wit was so sharp. Her humor was undeniable.
The beloved wife of the late Domenico Erbafina, who passed away January 18, 2015, Mary was a devoted mother to Sandra Cerra and late husband Ron of Boxford, Charlie Erbafina and wife Susan of Gloucester, Carol Corvino and husband Frank of Lynnfield, Robert Erbafina of Hopkinton, Joanna Erbafina and partner Dan Hargrave of Ipswich and Paul Erbafina and wife Michelle of Scotch Plains, NJ. Dear sister of the late Cosmo, late Danny, late Salvatore and late Frankie. Dear sister-in-law of Cosmo and Tina Erbafina of Sudbury. Mary is lovingly survived by her grandchildren: Lylette, Nicole, Joseph, Christopher, Vanessa, Jacquelyn, Valentino, Giovanni, Francis, Domenic, Olivia and the late Nicholas. Great grandmother of twelve and a great great grandmother of one. Mary is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
Ma, your courage, strength and tenacity was admirable. You may have shed a tear or two, but always picked yourself up and persevered. You gave us the tools and showed us the importance of faith, love and family. Your love for your family was immeasurable. Your legacy lives on through the rock-solid foundation you created. All will smile when they think of you, for you were the matriarch and the one woman that loved us all. Thank you for all the wonderful years.
Due to the current health pandemic and out of concern for everyone's safety funeral services will be private.
As an expression of sympathy and in lieu of flowers donations may be sent in Mary’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
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