Cora Maggioni of Dedham and Chatham, beloved matriarch, died peacefully on February 28, 2024 surrounded by her six children. She was 90 years old.
Cora was born in 1933 to Evelyn and Alexander Ciriello, and lived in Dedham for 87 years. She met her husband Paul at the age of 13 at Curry School of Dancing and her eyes never stopped sparkling at their love. They married in 1956 and were inseparable until his untimely passing in 1999. She graduated Dedham High School (Class of 1951) where she delighted in theater and Emmanuel College (Class of 1955) where she studied sociology and prepared for her long career as an educator. She taught at Oakdale, Capen and Riverdale Elementary schools. Generations of Dedham school children still share stories of the beautiful Miss Cora and the fun and patient Mrs. Maggioni.
Cora was the quiet core of a large and often loud family. She adamantly insisted she never wanted a party but delighted in the many many gatherings of family where laughter flowed freely. She adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Granddogs would always snuggle up to her calming presence. To Cora, family was everything and she was always happiest when “all her chickens” were near.
Cora and Paul enjoyed travel but, more than any other destination, they had a deep love of Chatham. In college, she convinced her parents to build a home there while on a day trip to Cape Cod. After decades of joy filled summers, that home was aptly christened the Happy House by the grandchildren. If you are ever near the Chatham bandstand, look for her brick in the walkway celebrating this legacy.
Cora was a devoted friend and valued so many years of Greenlodge afternoons, summers with the Pleasant Street beach ladies, visits, phone calls and notes from dear friends from every chapter in her life. In recent years she was never without a book by her side, usually some giant biography or nonfiction tome. Up until the very minute she departed, she enjoyed music ranging from Patti Page to Barry Manilow to Taylor Swift.
Cora is remembered for her grace and beauty, tolerance for the rowdy bunch she wrought, her sly wit and ability to convey multitudes with a look, and most of all for her steadfast love, which was returned in full by her many friends and devoted family.
Cora was preceded in death by her husband, Paul; parents, Alexander and Evelyn Ciriello; and aunt and uncle, Edith and Arthur Capone. She is survived by her brother, Alex Ciriello of Fort Lauderdale, FL; her children: Melise and Jim O’Sullivan of Needham, MA; Paul and LeAnn (Keller) Maggioni of Needham, MA; John and Susan Maggioni of Wellesley, MA; Suzanne and Todd Lenox of Weston, MA; Cara Maggioni and Jay Gassner of Los Angeles, CA; and Alexandra Maggioni and Marcus Neupert of Los Angeles, CA; her grandchildren: Gregory and Jessica O’Sullivan; Catherine O’Sullivan and Andy Lee; William O’Sullivan and Charli Tankel; Alexander Maggioni; Isabelle, Sophie and Zoe Maggioni; Abigail, Jack and Sarah Lenox; and Amelia Gassner; and her great grandchildren, Virginia and George O’Sullivan.
Visitation at the George F. Doherty & Sons Wilson-Cannon Funeral Home, 456 High St. Dedham on Sunday, March 10, from 4-7pm. Funeral from the funeral home on Monday, March 11 at 9am followed by a funeral Mass in St. Denis Church, Westwood at 10am. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Interment in Brookdale Cemetery, Dedham. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Michael J Fox Foundation In Memoriam Donations.