Published in the June 23, 2017 edition
MELROSE — Gilda E. (Tontodonato) D’Amico, 88, a longtime resident of Melrose, entered peacefully into rest surrounded by family, friends and music at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital on Sunday, June 18, 2017.
Gilda was born in Boston on May 26, 1929, one of two children of the late Nicholas and Anna (Pietrella) Tontodonato. Raised and educated in East Boston, Gilda was married and settled in Melrose to raise her three daughters. A devoted mother, Gilda would do anything for her children. She worked 40 hours a week at Blue Cross/Blue Shield as a supervisor then worked nights in banking doing data entry. As a mother, Gilda provided a welcoming and warm home with lots of food. When her daughters were young, the family home served as a gathering place for neighborhood parties and family dinners.
For her entire life, Gilda was a passionate music lover. She loved all types of music, studied opera, and sang in her hospital bed with her family during her last days. With family, she enjoyed attending concerts, seeing Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban and Luciano Pavarotti perform live, or spending the day at Nahant or Revere beach. While at home, Gilda liked to knit or cook, especially her favorite Italian dishes, zucchini Parmesan and meatballs.
Gilda was a strong, honest and feisty woman, but most of all, cared deeply for her children. She will be missed.
Gilda was the devoted mother of Cheryl Sharp and her husband Colin of Australia, Karen D’Amico and her husband Bobby Sestito of Melrose, and Lorna A. Mattuchio and her husband Tom of Gloucester.
She was the dear sister of the late James Tontodonato and his surviving wife, June, of Tewksbury. She was the loving grandmother of Nicholas Brewer of Australia. She was the former wife of the late Salvatore “Sammy” D’Amico and is also survived by many caring nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends will gather in honor of Gilda’s life during visiting hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Saturday, June 24 from 9 to 10:30 a.m., before leaving in procession to Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 1155 Main St., Wakefield, for her funeral Mass celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Interment will be at the Puritan Lawn Memorial Park in Peabody. For directions or to make an online tribute to Gilda please visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com.
