Obituary: Angela (Marraffa) Corrao, 95, Well Known in Salem's Italian Community

Obituary from Full-Spychalski Funeral Home

Angela (Marraffa) Corrao of Salem passed away peacefully in her home on Nov. 25, 2014, after a brief and brave battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her loving family. Angela was the wife of the late Anthony “Tony” Corrao, and mother of two daughters, MaryAnna Corrao Tardiff, and the late Ida Corrao.

Angela was born to the late Dominic and Gaetana Marraffa in Salem, in 1919, and was one of nine children. She was educated in Salem and was employed by several manufacturing companies, as well as Salem Hospital and Shaughnessy-Kaplan Rehabilitation Hospital in the 1970s. She was a lifelong resident of Salem before moving to Salisbury with her family in 1999.

Coming from a large Italian family, Angela appreciated and cherished every moment spent with her family and friends and the closeness they shared. She was actively involved and well known in Salem’s Italian community, and St. Mary’s Italian Church prior to its closing. She had deep ties to her Italian roots, and was a member of the Sons of Italy. Proud of her heritage, Angela returned to Italy with family on multiple occasions.

In addition to spending much of her time with her family, Angela enjoyed volunteering, knitting, crocheting, prayer, and the occasional shot of Ginger-Brandy. She was recognized by her community for her spirit of giving on multiple occasions. When she wasn’t busy knitting hand-made designs for family and friends, she would knit and crochet hats and blankets for the students at Salisbury Elementary School, and for newborns and cancer patients at Anna Jaques Hospital in Newburyport. She was active in both the Salem and Salisbury Council on Aging, where she enjoyed playing cards, line-dancing, knitting, as well as dinners and social events.

Angela is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, MaryAnna Corrao Tardiff and Richard J. Tardiff of Salisbury and three grandchildren: Sarah A. Tardiff of Ipswich, Richard A. Tardiff of Dorchester, and Melissa R. Tardiff of Ipswich, as well as one sister, Margaret Rizzotti of Bridgewater. She was predeceased by several brothers and sisters: Anthony “Tony” Marraffa, Jenny Foti, Rosario C. “Sorio” Marraffa, Mary Okker, Florence Femino, John A. Marraffa, and Salvatore R. “Sub” Marraffa. She also leaves behind many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visiting hours will be Monday, Dec. 1, 2014, from 9-11 a.m. at Full-Spychalski Funeral Home in Salem, followed by a service in the funeral home at 11 am. Burial is in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. For on line guest book and directions, visit www.SalemFuneral.com.