Ida M. (Lanza) Mazzarella

Leominster --- Mrs. Ida (Lanza) Mazzarella, 96, of Leominster, died peacefully Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at home surrounded by her loving family.

Born on July 28, 1929 in Leominster, Ida was the only member of her family born in the United States. Her parents, Guiseppe and Concetta (Tata) Lanza brought the family over from Alvito, Italy months before her birth.

Ida was an amazing mother who worked hard her entire life to keep her kids well fed and a roof over their heads. She worked 20 years at Bradlees and after retirement worked with her son Dean at his downtown business until she was 92.

She traveled extensively with her husband, making nine trips to Italy and exploring destinations throughout Europe. Her cooking was legendary and she used her cookies to win over hearts all across this city. She even used a pizzelle machine customized to print her name on the cookies. Ida could often be found watching classic films and independent movies. She was a puzzle queen, often starting her days off with a good crossword. She loved music, especially Italian music, which filled her home with joy and brought back cherished memories of family and heritage. Ida was her son’s biggest supporter during his campaigns for Mayor.

Ida held dear her friendships with the old neighborhood Italians and the many acquaintances she met while raising her children on Sixth Street. She made friends wherever she went and could be found holding court at the cafe with her son and sidekick Marco. Her energy and enthusiasm will certainly be remembered by all who knew her. Ida loved with her whole heart and anyone who knew her loved her back.

She leaves her three sons: Frank Mazzarella and his wife Matina (Manos), Mark Mazzarella, and Dean Mazzarella and his beloved Tara Lappas; her five grandchildren: Joseph Mazzarella and his wife Stephanie (Rogers) Mazzarella, Stephanie (Mazzarella) Madrigal and her husband Justin, Dean Mazzarella Jr. and his beloved Lindsey Hughes, Talia Mazzarella, and Emily Mazzarella and her husband Joffrey Bremond; her five great-grandchildren, Sonia and Ana Mazzarella, Jamison and Donovan Madrigal and Aidan Hughes; and her beloved dog Louie.

She was predeceased by her parents, her husband Joseph Mazzarella, her daughter Nina, who died in 1958 and her grand-daughter, Katina Mazzarella who died in 1985.

The family kindly asks those attending to go directly to St. Anna’s Church in Leominster for a Funeral Mass to be held on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow at St. Leo’s Cemetery. There are no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to: the “Leominster Autism Project” c /o Mayor’s Office, 25 West St. Leominster or “The Michael J. Fox Foundation” at michaeljfox.org/give-tribute.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ida M. (Lanza) Mazzarella, please visit our floral store.