Amelia Marie (Clerici) Amaral, a life-long resident of Walpole for 77 years, died peacefully at Maples Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Wrentham on Wednesday, October 7, 2010, at age 90, surrounded by family.
She was born in Walpole on February 1, 1920, the daughter of Francesco and Angelina Clerici, immigrants from Rocca di Fluvione (Provincia di Marchese) and Alanno (Provincia di Pescara), Italy.
Upon graduating from Walpole High in 1939, she lived, worked and studied on the campus of the Foxboro State Psychiatric Hospital where she received a diploma in Psychiatric Nursing and became a Licensed Practical Nurse.
After leaving the nursing profession to marry and start a family, she returned in the early 1960’s to work with severely mentally and physically handicapped persons at the Wrentham State School in various wards, including at the main hospital building at the school.
Always a conscientious nurse, she combined practical nursing with her own unique, gentle and compassionate ways, always with the aim of helping the patient, both physically and emotionally.
In her retirement years, she became a volunteer and was trained by the Southwood Community Hospital for compassionate care of end-of-life patients in the hospital Hospice Care Center. In 1987 she was recognized by the Hospice Care Center for “outstanding response to the emotional needs of the ill, dying and bereaved”. She also was a volunteer at King Philip Elder Services, visiting elderly persons living alone.
She eventually resided at Maples Nursing & Retirement Home in Wrentham Center in 1999, where, even in her diminished state, she still offered assistance and comfort to her fellow patients and residents.
She was a life-long faithful communicant at the Blessed Sacrament Church, a faithful and loving wife, mother and grandmother and a good neighbor. Her gentle and kind demeanor will forever be missed by all.
She is pre-deceased by her husband of 59 years, David J. Amaral, and survived by a daughter Rita M. Parquette of Rhode Island, 3 sons, David F., Michael E. and Robert J. Amaral of Walpole. Grandmother of Amy Kitt of Oregon, Gabriel Parquette of Boston, Angela Barek and Margaret Parquette of R.I, Natalie Amaral and Nataliya Amaral of Walpole. Also grandmother of the late Enzo and Max Amaral.
Mrs. Amaral was the sister of, Philomena Benedetti and Josephine Bergman of Wrentham, James Clerici of Walpole, the late Rosina and Fred Clerici of Walpole and the late Camelio Clerici of Florida.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday October 12, in the Blessed Sacrament Church at 11:00. Burial will be in Knollwood Memorial Park in Canton. Visiting hours will be on Monday from 5-8 in the Ginley Funeral Home (www.ginleyfuneralhomes.com) 892 Main St. Walpole. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation to the Friends of the Walpole Council on Aging ,135 School St. Walple,Ma 02081