Obituaries

Mary Kathryn Massanelli

Photo of Mary Kathryn Massanelli
Mary Kathryn Massanelli, 94, of North Little Rock, died Saturday, September 17, 2016. She was born to Frank Lupo and Filomena Aureli Lupo on July 24, 1922. She married her husband, Dave Massanelli, on April 27, 1943. She was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church and spent many hours volunteering at St. Patrick School. She worked for Southwestern Bell as a telephone operator and later as a home health aide. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dave; brothers, Dave and Matthew Lupo; and son-in-law, Donald Tillery. She is survived by daughters, Jane Ann Tillery; Joyce Rebecca "Becky" Foor (Dennis); son, David Wayne Massanelli (Kathy); grandchildren, Donald Richard "Rick" Tillery, Jr. (Lisa) of Murphy, Texas; Christopher Foor (Kelly); Kathryn "Kallie" McCullough (Tom); and seven great-grandchildren, Alex, Dani, Marin, Aubree, Rylee, Quinn and Donnie; and her sisters, Virginia (Dollye) Huckaby of Pine Bluff, Ark., and Lena (Lee) Algeri (Bill) of Amherst, N.Y. She was a loving mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, aunt, and friend. She enjoyed any kind of crafting, especially crocheting. Even after losing her vision in 2001, she made over 200 baby blankets for Arkansas Children's Hospital. She loved to laugh and never met a stranger. Her children's friends found a second home at her house. She was known by many names — Mary, Kathryn, Mary Kathryn, Mema, Katy, Aunt Kathyrn, Aunt Katy, Girdy, Mrs. M, Gig, and Ti, but her favorite was Mother. The family wishes to thank the caregivers at Sherwood Nursing and Rehab for their care, love, and comfort to Mother and to our family. They are our special "angels" on earth! A vigil will be held at 6 p.m., and rosary at 7 p.m. at Smith - North Little Rock Funeral Home on Tuesday, September 20. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, September 21, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, with Father Jack Vu officiating, and concelebrating with Father Joseph Chan and Father Warren Harvey. Burial will take place at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Little Rock, Ark. The family suggests memorials be made in Kathryn's name to St. Patrick Catholic Church of Lions World Services for the Blind of Little Rock. Visit the online obituary at www.SmithFamilyCares.com.

Published September 20, 2016

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