Lina Caparrotta

Lina Caparrotta, the quintessential Italian immigrant-family mother, known for her contagious laugh, keen sense of humor and dedication to her family, died at home at the age of 90 on Jan. 18, after long battles with breast cancer and dementia. Lina was never without a gentle smile, and always welcomed family, friends and newcomers into her home with a warm hug and a kiss.  Born Lina Marano in Calabria, Italy, she met and married her husband Giovanni there, raising their five children there before leaving her hometown for America in 1978, settling in Hull to be near other family members.   Family meant the world to Lina, and she was a great source of support, encouragement and love for her children and everyone around her, completely selfless, dedicating her life to the well-being of her family and to ensuring her children fully pursued their educations.   Lina was a great cook, who delighted in preparing large family dinners, especially for the holidays. She loved singing along while her son Lino played guitar and Giovanni played mandolin. She had a sweet tooth – cannoli were her undoing – and every day had to include a few cups of espresso. She also enjoyed gardening, knitting, watching Italian TV programs and spending summers with Giovanni in their native country.   Lina was a religious woman, devoted to St. Francis of Paola and to Padre Pio; she made several pilgrimages to their respective birthplaces.  Lina was the adored wife of the late Giovanni Caparrotta for 65 years, the loving mother of Marisa Caparrotta of Italy, Ernesto Caparrotta and his fiancé Janet Vinton of Hull, Gianfranco Caparrotta and his wife Rossana of Hull, Maurizio Caparrotta of Hull and the late Lino Caparrotta and his wife Giuliana of Italy. She was predeceased by three siblings — Carmelino Marano, Francesco Marano and Teresa Latkovich — but is survived by sisters Raffaela LaScala of Canada and Ida Senatori of Italy, as well as by five grandchildren, four  great grandchildren and a bevy of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A Funeral Mass will be held in St. Mary’s Parish in St. Ann’s Church, Hull, at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, January 24. Burial will follow at Hull Village Cemetery. For those unable to attend or accommodating Covid protocols, the Mass will be livestreamed on the Church website (https://stmaryhull.com).

Lina loved flowers, but would have encouraged you to please consider a more tangible remembrance by supporting either the Dana Farber Cancer Institute (https://www.dana-farber.org/how-you-can-help/ways-to-give/) or Hospice of the South Shore (https://www.hospicefed.org/donations/).