Lillian (Oliveira) Barresi, 90, of Westport, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at Clifton Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. She was the wife of the late Richard J. Barresi, and they were married for 58 years.
Born in Fall River, daughter of the late Joseph and Elvira (Campos) Oliveira, she resided in Westport for over 60 years. She graduated in the top 10 of her class from B.M.C. Durfee High School. Prior to leaving the workforce to be a full-time mom, she worked as an Insurance Service Representative for Maury Kusinitz Insurance in Fall River for close to 10 years. Lillian was a longtime Communicant of Our Lady of Grace Church, Westport. She dedicated many years to volunteering including several at both the Westport Community Schools and Bishop Stang High School and over 25 years at the Friends of the Westport Library and Friends of the Westport Council on Aging, where she held numerous leadership positions. She also volunteered at Cub Scouts of America as a den mother and committee member, Camp Fire Girls as a board of director member and group leader and was a literacy tutor for Commonwealth Literacy Corps, Bristol Community College. She was an active participant at the Westport Senior Center and especially enjoyed the exercise and camaraderie in Wendy's aerobics classes. A lifelong learner, she enrolled at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth after her children grew up and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BA in Sociology in 1993 and also enjoyed numerous classes at the Second Half Lifelong Learning Institute. She was an avid reader and a diehard Red Sox and Patriots fan, enjoyed antiquing, bowling and loved taking rides to the beach, but most of all, she derived great joy from being a Nana.
Survivors include 3 sons: David J. Barresi and his wife Anne of Latham, NY, Douglas J. Barresi and his wife Simonne of Fairhaven, MA and Stephen R. Barresi of Atlanta, GA; a daughter: Lisa A. Barresi of Cincinnati, OH; 4 granddaughters: Laurin, Gabrielle, Lilliana and Jordan; and several nieces and nephews.
She was the sister of the late Isaura Perry and the late Patricia Verville.
The family would like to thank the staff at Clifton Rehabilitation and Nursing Center for their kindness and care.
Funeral to which relatives and friends are invited will be Tuesday, April 29, 2025 from the Potter Funeral Home at 9:00 A.M. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Grace Church at 10:00 A.M.
Calling hours Monday 5 - 8 P.M.
Interment in Beech Grove Cemetery, Westport.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial donations may be made to: Friends of the Westport Council on Aging, 75 Reed Rd., Westport, MA 02790 and Friends of the Westport Library, 408 Old County Rd., Westport, MA 02790.