Melanina "Millie" (Camardella) Arpano

Melanina “Millie” (Camardella) Arpano born October 12, 1933 in Leominster, Massachusetts, died peacefully at home, April 29, surrounded by family. She was the daughter of Liborio Camardella and Louise (Piano) Camardella, both born in Foggia, Italy.

Melanina met her husband, Alfred Arpano in high school and they were married in 1953 for 45 years before his death in 1998. She is survived by her 4 children: Donna Burton and her husband, Thomas of Pownal ME, Patricia Cook, and her husband, Russell of Fitchburg, Steven Arpano and his wife, Kathy (Latini) of Leominster and Suzanne Ciuffetti, and her husband Michael of Danville, NH. She has 8 grandchildren, Celina Johnson, Cassandra Cook, Jake Cook, Danielle Burton, Hannah Burton, Ashley (Arpano) DiGiannantonio, Alysha (Arpano) Melendez, and Leah Arpano; one sister, Nancy (Camardella) Boliver; and one brother, Matthew Camardella.

 She was preceded in death by her grandson, Anthony Arpano and her sister, Rose Boucher. She was loved by many nieces and nephews.

Millie was always the life of the party. She had an infectious laugh and enjoyed being with her family and friends. She loved to travel, she especially enjoyed her trips to Florida with her daughters, Donna and Patti.  Millie was the family gnocchi maker; you could always find them in her freezer. She loved to cook and entertain whenever she could. She was always busy taking classes in sewing, ceramics and furniture remodeling.

She worked for many years at Merchants National Bank in downtown Leominster, and also for the Fallon Clinic.

The family is requesting those who are attending services to wear something purple for Dementia Awareness.

Calling hours are Tuesday, May 4th from 4pm – 7pm at Richardson Funeral Home, 106 West Street, Leominster. The funeral Mass will take place on Wednesday, May 5th at 11am at St Anna’s Church, 194 Lancaster St., Leominster, burial immediately following at St. Leo’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of Rockingham VNA & Hospice, 137 Epping Rd., Exeter, NH 03833 or by visiting www.exeterhospital.com/Rockingham-VNA-Hospice/RVNA-Hospice-Events. 

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