Master craftswoman, seamstress
Published in the January 18, 2017 edition
WAKEFIELD — Patricia Ann (Pari) Fotino, 82 of Wakefield passed away peacefully at the Kaplan Hospice House in Danvers on January 16, surrounded by her family.
Born in Lynn on March 16, 1934, she was the daughter of the late Paul and Stella (Legere) Pari, of Maine and Canada, respectively.
The eldest of 13 children, Patricia spent her childhood in Lynn, attending school and helping with her 12 younger siblings who she held close in her heart.
She leaves behind her sister and best friend Dolores D’Amico, her brother Paul Pari and her brother Don Pari.
Patricia was a Wakefield resident for the past 46 years. Her life’s work included sewing — she was a master seamstress, owning a thrift shop — and numerous other trades and crafts.
A master craftswoman, she could make something out of nothing and gave a fresh coat of paint to anything that sat still. She excelled at cooking and coming up with a song or saying for any situation. Her memory will be marked with her love and unmatched strength. Her greatest source of pride and joy was her family. She would never miss an opportunity to list her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren to all she came in contact with. Her passion in life was being Ma. To her children’s friends she was “Ma.” Ma is who she wanted to be, who she was and who she shall always be. Little and mighty, Ma.
She was an active member of the McCarthy Senior Center and a member of the Red Hats, where she made many friends whom she adored.
She was preceded in death by her husband Franklin J. Fotino, her granddaughter Lauren Goodwin and most recently her son, Stephen Scott Fotino. She is survived by her daughter Linda Murray and her fiancé Richard Kinch, her son Wallace Fotino and his wife Kathy, her son Gary Goodwin and his wife Pamela, her son Robert Fotino and his wife Irene, her daughter Doreen Sheppard and her husband Jack, her daughter Tina Cresta and her husband Jimmy and her daughter Heidi Rossicone and her husband Brett.
In addition to her children, Nana/Nanny, is survived by her grandchildren who she will be watching over, James Mamos, Gary Goodwin, Elaine Goodwin, Patricia (Goodwin) Duncan, James Cresta, Annie Fotino, Franklin Cresta, Lucas Sheppard, Samantha (Cresta) Gasbarro, Erica (Cresta) Dugan, Sophia Rossicone, Charlotte Rossicone and Lorelai Rossicone and six great grandchildren.
At Patricia’s request, a celebration of life will be held at a future date.
