Shrewsbury – Anna M. Mastro, of Shrewsbury, died peacefully into the loving arms of God on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013 in Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester, with family by her side. She was 85.
Anna was born Aug. 11, 1927 in Shrewsbury, one of 14 children of Italian immigrants William F. and Viola (Congahilia) Mastro Sr. A life-long Shrewsbury resident, she was a graduate of the former Maj. Howard W. Beal High School. She worked for 25 years as a knitter at the former Worcester Knitting Company.
Anna was a quiet, gentle, simple and well-loved woman. Her needs in life helped define who she was as a woman. She was a strong, faith-filled woman who took care of her family and so many others in her life. Raised in a large Italian Catholic family Anna lived through The Great Depression, prayed her brother's safety as they fought during World War II, and above all she loved Jesus Christ, His Blessed Mother, His angels and saints and loved His Church, most especially St. Anne's Church in Shrewsbury, where she was a regular communicant.
Mother Teresa was quoted as saying, “We can do no great things, only small things with great love.” In the final analysis this is how Anna lived her life. Although Anna never married, she shared the same love a parent and child enjoy with her nieces and nephews and their families.
True to her Italian heritage, Anna knew her way around the kitchen. She was fantastic and was always preparing something delicious to share with family, friends, and neighbors. She was an especially talented baker with signature recipes of chocolate chip cookies, pizzelles, and scones. These were much sought treats that became a routine in which she and brother Vin would distribute to many during their day-to-day errands.
Anna joins her parents and siblings in heaven, John V. Mastro, Benny Mastro, William F. Mastro Jr., Lena Chenevert, Frances Ruggere, Mary Driscoll, Margaret Archambo, and Eva Rose.
Anna leaves her brothers, Vincent W. Mastro and Anthony R. Mastro and his wife, Betty, and Helen Zingarelli, all of Shrewsbury and Elsie Shean of Worcester; many nieces & nephews; grandnieces and grandnephews; and great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews.
Family and friends will honor and remember Anna's life by gathering for calling hours Friday, Feb. 15, from 4 to 8 p.m., at Heald & Chiampa Funeral Directors ~ The Sumner House, 5 Church Road, On the Common, Shrewsbury Center, and again on Saturday, Feb. 16 in Saint Anne's Church, 130 Boston Tpke, Shrewsbury, where her funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. You are kindly asked to go directly to the church. Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery.
Honor Anna's memory with a contribution to St. Anne's Human Services, 130 Boston Tpke., Shrewsbury, MA 01545.
