Obituary of Maria Grandi

Maria Grandi, a retired nurse’s assistant passed away after a lengthy illness at the Sawtelle Hospice House in Reading on Tuesday night, January 21, 2014. She was 72 years old. Maria was the daughter of Italian immigrants, the late Estepan and Vicenta Umina. Maria married her husband Alberto and they began their life together by immigrated to the United States. They lived in Waltham and started a family. For the past 34 years they have made Burlington their home. Maria was a hardworking woman who loved caring for others. She had worked as a nurse’s aid at the Carlton Willard Village in Bedford for a number of years. She then worked at the Lahey Clinic Medical Center in Burlington as a nurses aid for 26 years, spending many of those years in the Surgical Recovery Department. She was a bundle of energy, always on the go, and doing whatever she possibly to comfort, care for, and cheer up her patients. After leaving the Lahey Clinic, but not ready to retire, Maria went back to school and became a massage therapist. Maria’s family was the most important part of her life. She was the loving wife to her husband Al for 53 years. She was a caring and supportive mother to her 3 children. She adored her 4 grandchildren and would smother them with love and affection. Her home was always filled with excitement and family. Maria spoke 3 languages?? Spanish, Italian, and English so her children grew up with Italian music, Spanish television shows, and a combination of English and Spanish depending on who’s company she was sharing. Family activities were very important to Maria. They included: camping, beach vacations, Sunday dinners, nightly meals, holidays, family celebrations, and happenings in which her children and grandchildren were involved. Maria has left a heart print on so many including her family, friends, coworkers, and patients and her warmth, kindness, and fervor will always be remembered by those she has touched in her life time. Maria was the beloved wife of Alberto D. Grandi. She was the loving mother of Maria Duffany & her husband Keith of Woburn, Gloria Bugley of Burlington and Olivia Witkus & her husband Michael of Billerica and mother-in-law of the late Doug Bugley. Maria was the proud grandmother of Collin & Miranda Duffany and Tyler & Cameron Bugley. She is also survived by many brother and sister-in-laws, nieces, and nephews, and friends. A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Dorothy’s Church, 120 Main St., Wilmington on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 10 a.m. Relatives & friends respectfully invited to attend. Memorials in Maria’s name may be made to the VNA of Middlesex East for the Sawtelle Family Hospice House, 607 North Avenue, Suite 17, Wakefield, MA 01880.