Obituary: Juanita (Mason) Cafiso, North Reading Resident

Obituary from Croswell Funeral Home:

Juanita (Mason) Cafiso, 78, of North Reading and formerly of Otisfield, ME, died on Sunday, January 11, 2015.

Juanita was born in Quincy on Nov. 12, 1936, grew up in Cambridge and married and raised her family in Arlington, before enjoying a full and busy retirement with her husband of 56 years in their log home in Maine. More recently, Juanita lived in North Reading Massachusetts with family.

She was the loving wife for 56 years to the late Lewis (Joe) Cafiso and had a dear sister, the late Bernice Ellis. Juanita leaves many friends and family including her five children: Mark Cafiso and his wife Mary Ellen of Maine, Matthew Cafiso of CO, Rosemarie Bernard and her husband Tom of TN, Tammy Bernard and her husband Michael of MA, and Paul Cafiso and his wife Sonia of AZ.

Juanita had nine grandchildren and two step-grandchildren: Jacqueline Nadeau and her husband Michael, Christina Cafiso, Giovanni Cafiso and his wife Miranda, Archer, and Sanovia Cafiso, Nicholas Bernard and his wife Kendra, Sam Bernard, Julia and Olivia Bernard, Brandon Therriault and his wife Sandra, and Alex Therriault, and three great granddaughters, Sophia, Asia and Peyton.

Juanita enjoyed many hobbies and was happiest around family and friends, working in her vegetable garden, cooking, knitting and sewing, including making four beautiful wedding gowns. Juanita worked primarily with children as a nanny and later as a school bus driver with the Lakes Region School District. Her love of all children touched many young lives. She will be missed by all who enjoyed her hospitality and kind nature.

Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of Juanita’s life on Saturday, Jan. 17 at 11 a.m. Calling hours will be held prior to the service from 10 to 11 a.m. at Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St, North Reading, MA. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to Alzheimer’s Association, 480 Pleasant Street, Watertown, MA 02472.

A memorial service in Maine will be planned at a later date.