Marian A. (Ercolini) Pirani, 89, a 56-year resident of Winchester, passed away March 23, 2013 surrounded by her loving family. Born and raised in Somerville, she was the daughter of the late Erminio and Mary (Cavagnaro) Ercolini. As a young lady in Somerville, Mrs. Pirani fell in love with her brother’s best friend, Alvaro B. Pirani, who grew up on the same block and who would become her husband. After high school graduation, Mr. Pirani enlisted in the U.S. Army and served during World War II. Marian faithfully awaited his return and they were married shortly thereafter, and would remain married for 41 years until his death in 1988.
The Pirani’s settled in Winchester and raised their children, all of whom are graduates of Winchester High School. A wonderful mother who was involved in her children’s activities as well as many social and civic organizations, Marian was a volunteer at Winchester Hospital for over 50 years and a member of the Winton Club, the women’s volunteer organization which exclusively supports Winchester Hospital. She was also a member of the En Ka Society of Winchester and the Winchester Home and Garden Club. In her spare time she also loved to read, cook, paint, garden and spend time with her family in Falmouth.
She was the loving mother of John Pirani and Bonnie Gillespie of Woburn, Peter Pirani and his wife Rosemary of Winchester and Andrea Pirani Cahill and her husband Peter of Hingham, and the dear sister of Louise Ercolini of Winchester and the late Arthur, Irma, John and William Ercolini. She is further survived by her sister-in-law Lucienne Ercolini Hall, grandchildren Kevin Pirani, Christine Hollenhorst, Alex and Jessica Pirani, Natalie Keating and Peter Cahill, and great-grandchildren Mae and Al Pirani, Nina Hollenhorst, George and Harry Keating.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Wed., March 27 at 10AM at St. Mary’s Church 155 Washington St., Winchester, MA 01890. Relatives and friends respectfully invited. Interment Wildwood Cemetery, Winchester. In lieu of flowers, donations in Marian’s memory may be made to St. Mary’s Choir at the address listed above or to the Andrea Pirani Cahill Foundation for Neurofibromatosis, 3 Windjammer Way Hingham, MA 02043.