Obituary for Antoinette M. "Toni" (Giabatti) O'Leary
Antoinette M. “Toni” (Giabatti) O’Leary, 90, longtime Auburn resident, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 15, 2021 in the comfort of her home, surrounded by her loving family. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 60 years, the late Charles A. O’Leary, who passed in 2012.
Toni leaves her four wonderful daughters: Charleen Murphy and her husband Dennis, of Auburn, Kathleen O’Leary, of West Dennis, Maureen O’Leary, of Auburn, and Eileen Luukko and her husband Eric, of Sutton; her grandchildren, Michael Murphy and his wife Katie, Bridgit Murphy and her fiancé Jess Sibley, Sean Murphy and his wife Erin, Dr. Ariel Harm and her husband Dr. Tyler Harm, Daniel Nenninger and his wife Kiya-Lily Gill, Ryan Ballenas, Jason Ballenas and his wife Emma, Margo Ballenas, Emily Harrison and her husband Jack, and Samuel Luukko; her great-grandchildren, Denis Murphy, Flynn Murphy, Quentin Murphy, Harrison Murphy, Makoa Nenninger, and Atlan Nenninger; her sister, Joan Savage; as well as many nieces, nephews, friends, and her beloved dog, Jacques. Along with her parents, the late Egidio and Vincenza (Savona) Giabatti, she was predeceased by her siblings, Mary Mattress, Victoria Rossi, Amelia Catino, Josephine Flanders, and Frances Cammuso.
Born, raised, and educated in Worcester, Toni was a graduate of Commerce High School. She then attended and graduated from Worcester City Hospital School of Nursing, as a Registered Nurse. On September 13, 1952, Toni married the love of her life and the two settled in Auburn to start their family. She went on to work as a nurse in Worcester City Hospital, and later, for Auburn Visiting Nurses. Most recently, Toni worked in the Auburn Public Schools as the school nurse.
She enjoyed cooking, crocheting, cross-word puzzles, vegetable gardening, and hosting Christmas for her entire family. Toni also enjoyed vacationing on Cape Cod, and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Toni was a devout Catholic, and she and Charles were actually founding members of the North American Martyrs Parish in Auburn, where they worshipped for 67 years.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (stjude.org/donate).
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the O’Leary family between 10 and 11 AM on Monday, April 19, 2021 at North American Martyrs Church, 8 Wyoma Drive, Auburn, followed by a funeral Mass at 11. Burial will be held at 11 AM on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 in the Prince of Peace Section of St. John’s Cemetery, 260 Cambridge Street, Worcester. The Britton-Wallace Funeral Home is honored to be assisting with arrangements.
Toni leaves her four wonderful daughters: Charleen Murphy and her husband Dennis, of Auburn, Kathleen O’Leary, of West Dennis, Maureen O’Leary, of Auburn, and Eileen Luukko and her husband Eric, of Sutton; her grandchildren, Michael Murphy and his wife Katie, Bridgit Murphy and her fiancé Jess Sibley, Sean Murphy and his wife Erin, Dr. Ariel Harm and her husband Dr. Tyler Harm, Daniel Nenninger and his wife Kiya-Lily Gill, Ryan Ballenas, Jason Ballenas and his wife Emma, Margo Ballenas, Emily Harrison and her husband Jack, and Samuel Luukko; her great-grandchildren, Denis Murphy, Flynn Murphy, Quentin Murphy, Harrison Murphy, Makoa Nenninger, and Atlan Nenninger; her sister, Joan Savage; as well as many nieces, nephews, friends, and her beloved dog, Jacques. Along with her parents, the late Egidio and Vincenza (Savona) Giabatti, she was predeceased by her siblings, Mary Mattress, Victoria Rossi, Amelia Catino, Josephine Flanders, and Frances Cammuso.
Born, raised, and educated in Worcester, Toni was a graduate of Commerce High School. She then attended and graduated from Worcester City Hospital School of Nursing, as a Registered Nurse. On September 13, 1952, Toni married the love of her life and the two settled in Auburn to start their family. She went on to work as a nurse in Worcester City Hospital, and later, for Auburn Visiting Nurses. Most recently, Toni worked in the Auburn Public Schools as the school nurse.
She enjoyed cooking, crocheting, cross-word puzzles, vegetable gardening, and hosting Christmas for her entire family. Toni also enjoyed vacationing on Cape Cod, and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Toni was a devout Catholic, and she and Charles were actually founding members of the North American Martyrs Parish in Auburn, where they worshipped for 67 years.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (stjude.org/donate).
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the O’Leary family between 10 and 11 AM on Monday, April 19, 2021 at North American Martyrs Church, 8 Wyoma Drive, Auburn, followed by a funeral Mass at 11. Burial will be held at 11 AM on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 in the Prince of Peace Section of St. John’s Cemetery, 260 Cambridge Street, Worcester. The Britton-Wallace Funeral Home is honored to be assisting with arrangements.