Serafina Fermina (Vozzella) Bertino, of Canton, Mansfield and Norton, lovingly referred to as “Fern”, “Ma”, “Grandma”, “Nonni”, “Zizi”, and “Ziz”, passed away at 103 years old of natural causes, surrounded by her loving children on July 19, 2023.
She was the beloved wife of the late Salvatore J. Bertino for nearly 65 years, and were inseparable until Sal’s passing in July of 2020. Born in Torre le Nocelle (AV), Italy on February 16, 1920, she was the loving daughter of the late Ciriaco and Anastasia (La Ragione) Vozzella. In 1938, she immigrated to the United States to join her family and establish roots in Massachusetts. In addition to her dedicated husband, Salvatore; she is survived by her devoted children, Robert A. Bertino and his wife, Amy of Duxbury, Carol A. Bertino and her companion, Carlos Ventura, of Taunton, and Paula E. Kershaw and her husband, Stephen, of Mansfield. Fern was the dear sister of Theodore, Prisco, Carmen, Annibale, Alfredo, Lorenzo, Angelo, and Rosina Vozzella. She was the cherished grandmother of Matthew Kershaw and his wife, Stephanie, of New York, Ryan Kershaw of New York, Evan Kershaw of New York, Tessa Bertino of Duxbury, and Ana Bertino of Duxbury. They will forever remember the loyalty and tenderness conveyed to them by their grandmother. She is also survived by her prized great-grandchildren, Penelope Kershaw of New York, and Charles Kershaw of New York. She will be missed immensely by her nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Fern always followed her maternal instincts, as a figure of love and kindness to all. She enjoyed the simple things, including time spent tending to her vegetable garden, watching her kids and grandkids in the pool, or making delicious meals. Fern was well-known for her love of cooking and the Sunday dinners prepared for her family every week – always being the last person at the table after much good-humored prodding from her family. Her contagious sense of humor arose at the most surprising times, resulting in the entire dinner table erupting in laughter. In every photo of Fern, she is pictured with a bright smile, rarely looking at the camera, and instead at the family and friends surrounding her. Fern’s presence will forever be missed, though her family finds peace in that she is reunited with her late husband, Sal, once again.
Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend visitation on Tuesday, July 25th from 9:00-10:30 A.M. at the Sherman & Jackson Funeral Home, 55 North Main Street, Mansfield.
Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 25th at 11:00 A.M. in Saint Mary’s Church, 330 Pratt Street (Route 106) Mansfield. Burial will follow at Saint Joseph’s Cemetery in West Roxbury.
To send her family a message of condolence, please visit www.shermanjackson.com