Obituary for Matilde Balsamo (Barba)
Matilde Barba Balsamo, 88, of Enfield and widow of Umberto Balsamo, went to be with the Lord on July 28, 2022 surrounded by her loving and thankful children after a courageous and stoically fought battle with pancreatic cancer over the last 12 months. Born in Naples, Italy on April 6, 1934 to Gaetana Di Domenico and Raffaele Barba as the youngest of eight children and was the last surviving member.
Matilde and her late husband were the owners of Agawam Shoe Repair in Agawam, Massachusetts and George’s Shoe Repair in Enfield, Connecticut for many years. After the passing of her husband in 2013, at the age of 79 she continued to work and was employed by Costco Demo. services as a “Sample Lady” and joyfully continued to do so up until a short time before her passing. She was loved by everyone at Costco who affectionately referred to her as “Mamma/Nonna” and knew her for her trademark salutation “Ciao Bella!”, as well as her warm and friendly demeanor. Matilde was also formerly employed by Bruno Confectioners (Italy), Salumeria Barba (Italy), The Scitico and Sykes Convalescent Homes, Hi - G Electronics, and The Milton Bradley Toy Company. Matilde started working at 14 years of age and never stopped. She was forced to grow up quickly as she endured the hardships of World War II in Italy. As a young girl, she had witnessed the atrocities of war and knew the feeling of going hungry. It was largely this experience that forged the woman of steel that we knew our Mother to be. Instilling in her a strong work ethic, a keen sense of thriftiness, and a love of family and community.
Matilde's ability to put together a delicious five course meal in the matter of no time was second to none. “Mangia” was always the main theme at her home. As eating was a gathering and expression of love through food. Matilde loved and cherished all three of her grandchildren and was instrumental in caring for and helping to raise them all as their “Nonna”. For that, our gratitude can never fully repay her. She was very proud of Isabella Harris who recently graduated from the University of Rhode Island and Johnny and Juliana Balsamo who were always at her home. Loving her stories of days gone by, helping her, learning how to cook, watching Italian television shows, and gaining pearls of wisdom by virtue of being in her presence.
Thanks to the cutting-edge cancer treatments at Massachusetts General Hospital and under the care of Dr. Jeffery Clark and Dr. Theodore Hong, Matilde exceeded her prognosis of 3-6 months by a previous medical group. Special thanks also to the entire oncology staff and particularly Daniella, Emily, and Rhaea for their caring and compassionate treatment of our mother. Thank you to Dr. Dushyant Parikh, his office, and his wife Bina for their care and friendship. Thank you also to Father Anthony Bruno for his thoughtful and meaningful spiritual visits.
Matilde leaves behind four children Anna Balsamo and her companion Kerry Harris of Enfield, Ester Balsamo of Enfield, Frank Balsamo of Enfield, and Gaetano Balsamo of Enfield. She also leaves behind her “adopted son” Walter Gadomski who grew up at her kitchen table and his family. In addition to her children, she leaves behind her sister-in-law and brother-in-law Ida and Reno Pascucci in Italy as well as several nieces and nephews in Canada,Connecticut and Italy. And her many loving friends and colleagues from Costco in Enfield. Matilde’s greatest legacy will always remain her love and commitment to her family and her sacrifice for all of us. Forever loved and remembered in our hearts.
“Rose Rosse Per Te.” — ”Ti Amo.”
Funeral services will be held at St. Martha’s Church in Enfield on Saturday August 20th gathering at 12:00 p.m. for 12:30 p.m. mass. Burial service to be held at the convenience of the family.
Matilde and her late husband were the owners of Agawam Shoe Repair in Agawam, Massachusetts and George’s Shoe Repair in Enfield, Connecticut for many years. After the passing of her husband in 2013, at the age of 79 she continued to work and was employed by Costco Demo. services as a “Sample Lady” and joyfully continued to do so up until a short time before her passing. She was loved by everyone at Costco who affectionately referred to her as “Mamma/Nonna” and knew her for her trademark salutation “Ciao Bella!”, as well as her warm and friendly demeanor. Matilde was also formerly employed by Bruno Confectioners (Italy), Salumeria Barba (Italy), The Scitico and Sykes Convalescent Homes, Hi - G Electronics, and The Milton Bradley Toy Company. Matilde started working at 14 years of age and never stopped. She was forced to grow up quickly as she endured the hardships of World War II in Italy. As a young girl, she had witnessed the atrocities of war and knew the feeling of going hungry. It was largely this experience that forged the woman of steel that we knew our Mother to be. Instilling in her a strong work ethic, a keen sense of thriftiness, and a love of family and community.
Matilde's ability to put together a delicious five course meal in the matter of no time was second to none. “Mangia” was always the main theme at her home. As eating was a gathering and expression of love through food. Matilde loved and cherished all three of her grandchildren and was instrumental in caring for and helping to raise them all as their “Nonna”. For that, our gratitude can never fully repay her. She was very proud of Isabella Harris who recently graduated from the University of Rhode Island and Johnny and Juliana Balsamo who were always at her home. Loving her stories of days gone by, helping her, learning how to cook, watching Italian television shows, and gaining pearls of wisdom by virtue of being in her presence.
Thanks to the cutting-edge cancer treatments at Massachusetts General Hospital and under the care of Dr. Jeffery Clark and Dr. Theodore Hong, Matilde exceeded her prognosis of 3-6 months by a previous medical group. Special thanks also to the entire oncology staff and particularly Daniella, Emily, and Rhaea for their caring and compassionate treatment of our mother. Thank you to Dr. Dushyant Parikh, his office, and his wife Bina for their care and friendship. Thank you also to Father Anthony Bruno for his thoughtful and meaningful spiritual visits.
Matilde leaves behind four children Anna Balsamo and her companion Kerry Harris of Enfield, Ester Balsamo of Enfield, Frank Balsamo of Enfield, and Gaetano Balsamo of Enfield. She also leaves behind her “adopted son” Walter Gadomski who grew up at her kitchen table and his family. In addition to her children, she leaves behind her sister-in-law and brother-in-law Ida and Reno Pascucci in Italy as well as several nieces and nephews in Canada,Connecticut and Italy. And her many loving friends and colleagues from Costco in Enfield. Matilde’s greatest legacy will always remain her love and commitment to her family and her sacrifice for all of us. Forever loved and remembered in our hearts.
“Rose Rosse Per Te.” — ”Ti Amo.”
Funeral services will be held at St. Martha’s Church in Enfield on Saturday August 20th gathering at 12:00 p.m. for 12:30 p.m. mass. Burial service to be held at the convenience of the family.