Hudson – Barbara Anne (LiPetri) Bonazzoli, 85, died peacefully at home Saturday, May 24, 2014. She was a lifelong resident of Hudson.
Barbara was born in Hudson in 1929, the fourth and youngest child of Francesco and Angeline LiPetri. She attended St. Michael's School and graduated with honors from St. Michael's Academy in 1947. She worked for 10 years as a secretary for several engineers at LaPointe Machine Tool Co. In 1955, she married Richard Dante Bonazzoli of Bolton, a civil engineer. After residing for six years in Bolton, the couple moved to Hudson, where they raised nine children.
Barbara was devoted to family. She loved nothing better than to be surrounded by her extended family on special occasions, from birthdays to holidays, and enjoyed planning, decorating, and cooking for these gatherings. She always welcomed her children's friends, who would gravitate towards a home where they felt safe and loved. Many of these children would return as adults simply to say hello and thank you.
She instilled in her children an appreciation of literature, often quoting lines from Shakespeare or favorite poems to suit an event in the news or the weather or season. She had a deep love of nature. Dozens of feral cats found a home with her over the decades of her life, and no songbird, squirrel, wild turkey, woodchuck, or other creature that strayed into her yard left hungry. She also cultivated a variety of ornamental trees, shrubs, and flowers.
Barbara is survived by her husband of almost 59 years, Richard; sons David, Matthew, and Damian Bonazzoli of Florida, and Brian and Richard Bonazzoli as well as Richard's wife Inobat Igamberdieva, all of California; and daughters Nancy Bonazzoli of Oregon, and Laura Bonazzoli and granddaughter Lizzi Ogle, both of Maine. She also leaves son-in-law Steve Retta, father of her grandchildren by her late daughter Angelica, Carlo and Lavinia Retta, of Virginia. She is also survived by her sisters, Martha Donahue of Indiana and Gloria LiPetri of Hudson, as well as many devoted nieces, nephews, and other extended family who maintained close and loving relationships with her throughout her life.
Barbara's greatest sorrows in life were the loss of two of her children, son Andrew Bonazzoli in 2006 and daughter Angelica Retta in 2013. Her brother, William LiPetri of Hudson, died in 2011.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, May 31, at 9:00 a.m., in Saint Michael's Church, 21 Manning St., Hudson. Burial will follow in South Cemetery, Bolton. Family and friends may attend calling hours Friday, May 30, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the Tighe-Hamilton Funeral Home, 50 Central St., Hudson.
