Michelina V. Birrittieri

Michelina V. Birrittieri passed away peacefully in her home on July 21, 2018, two weeks after her 92nd birthday. She was a lifelong resident of Boston, having grown up in South Boston as one of 8 children of immigrant parents. She lived her adult years in the Clam Point section of Dorchester, where she brought up her four children.

She loved science, especially space exploration. She was extremely well read, and passed on her love for learning to her four children and grandchildren.

Since childhood she was known as “Mickey,” and she reveled in her role as mother, homemaker, family storyteller, and sage. She was a phenomenal cook, whose recipes included traditional Italian dishes passed down for generations, as well as those she created herself. There was always a great meal at Mickey’s house. In later years, as many of her siblings passed on, her family home became the focal point for many parties and gatherings of countless cousins, and friends.

Mickey enjoyed gardening. Her spacious yard was always in bloom. She took pride in her rose garden. Even in elder years, she continued growing tomatoes, herbs, and vegetables for her cooking.

Mickey endured numerous health issues, many of which landed her in the hospital. However, she battled on. She was the pillar of strength and endurance. Even 40 years of arthritis amazingly never showed in her beautiful handwriting.

Michelina was preceded in death by her daughter Lisa Birrittieri (April 1, 2018), and her husband Domenic Birrittieri (April 24, 1976), her sisters Carmella Robery, and Lucy Loud, brothers Andrew Cappy, Frank Cappuccio, and Albert Cappuccio, father Louis Cappuccio, and mother Maria C. Cappuccio (Reale).

She is survived by her children: Domenic M. Birrittieri, Dorchester, MA (Katherine Gaughan, fiancé); Cara M. Birrittieri (Jackson Smith), Lakewood, NY; and Gina Birrittieri Enock (Christopher Enock), New York, NY; her grandchildren Alexander L. Enock, Andrew J. Enock, Allen “A.J.” Smith III, and Victoria M. Smith; as well as her brother, Joseph Cappuccio, Roslindale, MA, and sister, Sylvia Parisi, NJ. She also leaves behind stepson, Harold Birrittieri, Coral Springs, FL, and many beloved step grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the visiting hours on Sunday 2-6 PM in the Keohane Funeral Home, 785 Hancock St., QUINCY. A Celebration of Life Service will be held in the funeral home at 9:45 AM on Monday prior to the Funeral Mass in St. Ann’s Church, Quincy at 10:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Mickey may be made to Rosie’s Place, 889 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02118, https://www.rosiesplace.org.