Caterina Bertolaccini, of Medford passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family, Wednesday, August 21, 2024. She was 87. Caterina was the beloved wife of Raffaello Bertolaccini and together they shared 67 years of marriage. Born in Fosciandora, Italy, she was the daughter of the late Pietro and Giuseppina (Torlai) Santini.
Caterina came to the United States with her family as a teenager and first lived in Somerville before settling in Medford where she has been a resident for many years. Mostly devoted to her family, she was the true matriarch of her family. She was the first to learn the English language and the first to get her driver's license. Caterina worked various jobs for many years to help provide for her growing family. She worked for a number of years at the Woodland Golf Club as a waitress and also at the former Off the Cuff Restaurant in Wellesley as a waitress and cashier. In her leisure time she loved to cook for her family and enjoyed traveling and making many trips back to Italy to visit family and friends. However her greatest joy was her family and nothing made her happier than to be surrounded by those she loved, especially her adored grandchildren whom she cherished. Caterina always looked forward to hosting family and extended family for celebrations and get togethers. She will fondly be remembered for her hard work ethic and willingness to help provide for her family, but mostly for her unconditional love and devotion to her family.
In addition to her beloved husband Raffaello, Caterina is survived by her devoted children, Linda Oppedisano and her husband Dominic of Somerville, Ronald Bertolaccini and his wife Maria of Derry, NH, Louie Bertolaccini and his wife Jeanna of Melrose, David Bertolaccini and his wife Regina of Hudson, NH. She was the loving nonna of Gianluca and Bianca Oppedisano, Luigi and Michael Bertolaccini, Emily and Audrey Bertolaccini, Jeremy, Zachary, and Adria Bertolaccini. Cherished sister of George Santini and his wife Katia, Maria Cristina Ferrini and her husband Andrea, the late Oreste Santini and his surviving wife Dolores, the late Claudio Santini and his surviving wife Frances. Further survived by many nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held from the Dello Russo Family Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford, Wednesday, August 28th, at 9 a.m. followed by a funeral Mass celebrated in St. Joseph Church 118 High St., Medford, at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Services will conclude with burial at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford. Visiting hours will be held at the Dello Russo Family Funeral Home on Tuesday evening from 4 to 8 p.m.
It has been requested that in lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Caterina's memory to the Alzheimer's Association, 309 Waverley Oaks Road, Waltham, MA 02452