Known for her sense of style, a beautiful angel is called back home.
Attilia P. “Tillie” (Verrazzani) Foti, 93 a longtime resident of Medford passed away peacefully on Tuesday February 13, 2018.
Tillie was born in East Boston on December 1, 1924 to Josephine (Gaudino) and Lorenzo Verrazzani, She graduated from Girls High School in Boston and married the love of her life, Anthony “Tony” Foti.
One of her favorite lines that she lived by was "If you don't have anything nice to say...don't say anything at all!" Well, we all have lots of nice things to say about this amazing woman.
The term “dressed to the nines” was created just for her. She was always the Belle of the Ball, known for her vast collection of clip-on earrings and matching necklaces in every color imaginable. A truly lovely lady, she brought sunshine whenever she entered a room.
She was kind, considerate, gracious and practiced random acts of kindness before the phrase was coined. She loved to dance and was one of the first on the dance floor, always willing to teach the line dances right there on the spot to anyone who needed an instant lesson.
She loved her family and friends with all her heart and celebrated their milestones with great pride. She was the devoted wife of the late Anthony J. Foti, cherished and loving mother of the late Jodie Rizzuto and her husband, the late Nick Rizzuto of Medford, Janice Kowalski of Enfield, NH, Jeanne Stasio and her husband Joe of Lynnfield and Anthony J. Foti, Jr. and his wife Angela of Melrose.
Lovingly referred to as Nana, she leaves nine grandchildren, Stephanie and Leonard Rizzuto, Julie Kowalski-Stavrou, Paul and Carl Kowalski, Joe Stasio, Jr. and Vanessa Stasio-Costa, Anthony J. Foti, III and Jacob Foti.
Nana also leaves 9 great grandchildren: Nicholas and Anthony DeSouza, Nadia Aquil, Liliana and Nina Rizzuto, Colby Wilson, Ava Stavrou and Logan and Sebastian Stasio.
She loved her weekend shopping trips with her husband Tony to Hanscom Air Force Base, hitting as many yard sales along the way, always happily sharing the bounty.
Incredibly generous, she always had a stockpile of gifts at the ready for any event. If you needed something, chances were that she had at least one and was thrilled to give it to you.
For over 30 years, Tillie worked as secretary in Medford High School’s Guidance Department. She touched the hearts of students and coworkers alike greeting them each day with a beautiful smile.
She single-handedly kept Hallmark in business, making sure to send greeting cards to everyone she knew to acknowledge their special event, whether a Birthday, Anniversary, Wedding or just to say she was thinking of you.
A long-time member of the Medford Sons of Italy, Tillie enjoyed participating in their many events. She enjoyed teaching others phrases in Italian and singing Italian songs. At the age of 92, she proudly showed off her lovely singing voice in a talent show with a truly magical rendition of the song Vieni Su.
Although she will be greatly missed, it is comforting to know that those who have loved her and gone before her, are there with arms wide open to welcome her home.
Tillie’s family would like to thank the staff of Hearthstone Alzheimer’s Care in Woburn for taking such wonderful care of her and helping her to stay the vibrant, classy, beautiful lady that we all know and love. God bless each and every one of you!
Family and friends are welcome to join us as we celebrate her life, and are respectfully invited to visit with the family on Saturday, February 17th from 9 through 11 AM at the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main Street, Medford, followed by a Funeral Mass celebrated in St. Raphael Church, 512 High Street, Medford at 11:30 AM. Services will conclude with interment at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Tillie’s name may be sent to the Alzheimer's Association, 309 Waverly Oaks Road, Waltham, MA 02452.