ROCKPORT – Margaret Caroline (Balzarini) Fears, 101, died peacefully on Friday, April 18, 2014, at her home.
Born in Rockport on February 17, 1913, she was the daughter of the late Antonio and Rosa (Franchini) Balzarini. Mrs. Fears attended Rockport schools, and for many years was employed at both the Peg Leg Inn and Peg Leg Restaurant.
She was an avid walker and gardener well into her late years, and had taken several trips to Europe to explore her parents’ heritage. She was also the recipient of the Boston Post Cane in 2013, awarded to the oldest living resident of Rockport.
She was the loving mother of Jean Rodgers of Raleigh, NC, Joan, wife of Jeremiah Fitzgerald of Rutland, and June, wife of Heinz Roller of Rockport; grandmother of sixteen, great-grandmother of seventeen and great-great-grandmother of two. She is also survived by a brother, Louis “Gigi” Balzarini of Rockport as well as many nieces and nephews. She was also predeceased by her daughter, Judith Sholler; son-in-law, Robert T. Rodgers; and brothers, Emilio, Attilio, Charles, Lino and John Balzarini; five sisters, Maria Balzarini, Amelia Balzarini, Mary Anderson, Regina Runsala and Rose Lewis Dayton; and her former spouse Robert E. Fears.
Prayers of committal will be held in the Calvary Cemetery on Friday morning at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. There are no visiting hours.