Mrs. Margaret M. Polidoro

Margaret Mary Ricci Polidoro, 100, the most recent matriarch of the Ricci family, passed away peacefully on Wednesday morning January 6, 2021, three days after the passing of her last surviving sibling, Alfred Ricci. Born in Pittsfield, May 6, 1920, the eighth of ten children of Italian Immigrants, Thomas and Concetta Colella Ricci, she attended Pittsfield schools. As a young woman, she worked at the former Pittsfield Novelty Company in their pocketbook factory assembling women’s change purses. Later she worked at the former Elmvale Worsted Co. as a winder from 1941 until the birth of her first child. After her children became older, she returned to the workforce and was employed in the stockroom at the former Shaeffer Eaton Company from 1967 until her retirement in 1980. She loved the beach, especially the family’s vacations in Wildwood, NJ and sitting out in the sun. She also looked forward to the Ricci Family Reunion each summer and loved playing in the annual bocce tournament. She was on the winning team several times and was proud to have her name engraved on the winners’ trophy. Margaret also enjoyed walking. She never had a driver’s license so she would walk everywhere. In her neighborhood, she was affectionately known as “the walking lady.” Every day she could be seen walking from her home on Huron St. down Newell St. and up and down Elm St. When she was 83, she went to Italy with her daughter and walked all over Rome, impressing all of the people in the travel group. She was very proud of having reached the age of 100. When asked to what she attributed her longevity, she would immediately respond by saying, “I’ve walked a lot of miles in my lifetime!” Devoted to her family, she was an excellent cook. Pasta, sauce and meatballs and ham and egg pizza at Easter were her specialties. In her most recent years, she loved to do word puzzles. She and her husband, Lucien J. Polidoro, were married on May 4, 1946, in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. Following his death on July 5, 1995, she maintained their family home until she was 92 when she moved to make her home with her daughter and son-in-law. Margaret was a longtime communicant of the former All Souls Church and upon its closing, Sacred Heart Church. She leaves her children and their spouses, Pittsfield School Committee Chair Katherine L. Yon (David), Joseph L. Polidoro (Anne), both of Pittsfield and Deborah Bessette (John) of Raleigh, NC, six grandchildren, Lucas Polidoro (Abigail), Christopher Polidoro (Megan), Kelly-Anne Recore (Kenneth), Andrew Polidoro (Madeline), Mallory Bessette (Timothy Keith), and Matthew Bessette, three great grandchildren, Henry and Oliver Polidoro, and Mason Keith. She was expecting her fourth great grandchild this spring. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Frances Ricci, and numerous nieces and nephews in both the Polidoro and Ricci families. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her five brothers, Joseph, Patrick, Harry, Alfred, and Albert Ricci; her four sisters, twins, Helen Rossi and Rose Sarocco, Susan Parise, and Mary Rizzo; and her beloved grandson Wesley Bessette. Margaret is being remembered for being a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt, beloved by all who met her. Her sweet smile, her warm spirit, and her infectious laughter told the story of a life well-lived and a job well done. There is an Italian belief that there are two things in life that will never leave you. One is the eye of God and the other is the love of a mother. Even though Margaret as we have known her is no longer with us, her love will remain forever in our hearts, guiding us to live with the same love, kindness, and warmth that pervaded her spirit. The family would like to extend their deep and sincere gratitude to the staff at Kimball Farms Nursing Care Center, who took extra special care of her and treated her as if she were a part of their own family. Also, a special thank you to Elder Services for the services and caregivers they provided to help us keep her at home for as long as we did. FUNERAL NOTICE Private calling hours will be held on Wednesday at Dwyer Funeral Home, 776 North St., Pittsfield, MA 01201 followed by a funeral service at 12:00 PM which will be live streamed. To view the service, please visit http://www.dwyerfuneral.com/obituaries/permalink/9798984/LTWebcast Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. A public Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held at Sacred Heart Church at a later date when COVID restrictions are lifted and all are able to safely gather together. A celebration of life will follow for her and her brother Alfred at the annual Ricci Family Reunion. In lieu of flowers, if friends desire, donations in her memory may be made to the Kimball Farms Nursing Care Center or Elder Services in care of the funeral home. Donations CANNOT be made online, but may be made through the Dwyer Funeral Home.

Mrs. Margaret M. Polidoro

May 6, 1920 - January 6, 2021