October 13, 1946 — May 10, 2023
Mary Joan Nappi (MJ), born Giovanna Mariano, 76, of Reading, Massachusetts, passed away at home with family by her side on May 10, 2023.
Born October 13, 1946, in Campodipietra, Italy, daughter of the late Erminio and Michelina Mariano. She immigrated to the United States in 1955, traveling by ship on the MV Saturnia, where she settled with her parents and late sister, Rose (Mariano) Pagella, in New Britain, CT. After first learning to speak English, then graduating from Berlin High School and Central Connecticut State College with her B.S. in English, MJ’s first career path was as an English teacher.
MJ lived in Maryland, Connecticut, and California, before settling in Reading, Massachusetts, where she raised her two daughters, Aurianne and Alana. She was very involved with the community and her children’s lives, volunteering for the PTO, public library, League of Women Voters, and becoming a Girl Scout and Camp Fire Leader. MJ devoted herself to her daughters and their upbringing. She was also a loyal supporter to her extended family and many friends.
MJ worked as a travel agent, office manager and event coordinator for many years. After retirement, MJ first and foremost continued to be dedicated to her family and grandchildren, immersing herself in their upbringing and activities. MJ was also very active in her community as part of the Reading Garden Club, maintaining planted islands in town. She forever enjoyed gardening, nature, flowers, art museums, reading, playing bridge with her friends, and watching football. She was an avid cook, baker, canner, pickler, and skilled seamstress.
Above all, throughout her whole life, Mary Joan loved entertaining, hosting family and friends, and cooking for and feeding anyone who would eat, “mangia”! She welcomed anyone at any time into her home and made them feel warmth and love. Some of her favorite activities were adventuring with her sister Rose, and Rose’s late husband Craig Pagella, hosting her beloved sister-in-law Gina Nappi for girls weekends, bonding with her sister-in-law Darlene D’Amato, and visiting with her nieces and nephews, Steven and Megan Pagella, Michael, Leah and Lauren Nappi, and Rosanna, Bruce, Dana and Deanna Nappi. She also doted on her two grandnieces Laila and Mae.
Mary Joan is survived by her two daughters, Aurianne (Nappi) Lopatka (Geoff Lopatka) of Reading, MA, and Alana (Nappi) Lutkowski (Steven Lutkowski) of Princeton, NJ, and 4 beloved grandchildren: Lara and Brody Lopatka, Sienna and Vivian Lutkowski. MJ’s grandchildren were the highlight of her life. Not a choir concert, band concert, softball game, dance recital, hockey game, communion, holiday, or birthday was ever missed. She loved playing with her grandchildren, taking them to the zoo or a museum, brunch or activities, or simply cuddling on the couch.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Mary Joan’s memory to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (https://pancan.org/) which she supported in honor of both her sister Rose and dear friend Donna Spelman; or to the Reading Garden Club by mailing a check to “Reading Garden Club” noting “Mary Joan Nappi” in the memo line. The check can be sent to Treasurer Kathleen Moynihan at 74 Colonial Drive, Reading MA 01867.
As Mary Joan wished for no formal funeral or services, all are welcome to share love and memories at Mary Joan’s Celebration of Life on May 21, 2023 at her daughter’s home at 64 Ashley Place, Reading MA 01867 from 12-3pm. Feel free to stop in for a moment or stay a while, open house style. By all accounts, Mary Joan was successful in life by her own definition of loving and being loved in return.
