Georgette S. Bisceglia

Georgette Sadie (Carter) Bisceglia, 87, of Worcester died peacefully on Sunday evening, January 19, at her long time Hyannis residence, comforted by her loving children and grandchildren, and beloved cousins. She leaves her three sons and their families: Albert L. and Kathryn of Holden and daughter Alyson and her husband Brandon Ryan of Nebraska; David M. and fiancé Lori Elsbree of Jupiter, FL and his daughter Kara and husband Doug Papy of Miami, sons Dominic, and Sonny; James P. and Shelagh of Hopedale, their son Jack and daughter Gillian. Georgette also leaves her daughter Jo-Ann of Hyannis, and her children James and Angela; and, a great- grandchild, Sophia. Georgette was blessed with a rich treasure of nieces, nephews, and cousins who she loved so very dearly. She was predeceased by her husband Albert A. Bisceglia, and her two brothers, John and Mickie Carter.

Georgette, fondly known as “Gigi”, is the daughter of the late George Carter and Josephine (Russell) of Coburn Ave., Worcester. Georgette graduated valedictorian of Sacred Heart Academy but due to the circumstances of her generation, she felt obligated to forego her college education in order to meet the expectations of her family’s traditions. Despite this situation, Georgette was determined to secure her advancement by refining her bookkeeping skills to earn professional employment. In 1954 she married a young US Airman, Albert Bisceglia of Worcester, and shortly thereafter moved their young family to the suburb of Shrewsbury.

As a dedicated wife and mother, and while her husband was completing his college degree, Georgette made time to work for several years at her uncles’ Union Cartage trucking business, and at other local companies in the Worcester area. Her driving force was her unwavering commitment to support her children’s education and religiously save to help out with tuition. This was the real gift to all her children; the opportunity to become self-reliant and independent.

Gigi was incredibly proud of her ethnic culture, and tirelessly nurtured her family with traditional Lebanese cuisine. Holidays and birthdays were always highlighted by surprises from her incredible culinary repertoire. Her cooking talents, which encompassed her husband’s Italian heritage as well, were only equaled by her incredible dexterity as a seamstress. In her earlier years she was dedicated to making her house a real home by uniquely fashioning her upholstery, crafting custom curtains and drapes, and making clothing for herself and her children. Her son James recalls her unique knack for altering his denim jeans to assure he would stay ahead of the fashion.

Georgette’s vivacity was always on display when she shared her love for music, when she prepared for fun family beach trips, and when she arranged her card-playing socials.

Most evenings she loved playing either the piano or the organ, something her father inspired when she was a child. As a young girl she had often played at Our Lady of Mercy Church for Father Sadie. Day trips to Misquamicut and Nantaskut with her girlfriends and their children, and of course, extended stays at Old Orchid Beach were always the highlights of the summers for the kids. These experiences shaped extraordinary life-long memories for all her children. Often, when family members, relatives, and close friends visited for cards and socials, the house was full of joy.

Her love for the beach surely led to her choice to move to Cape Cod in 1982. With her children grown by this time, and her youngest, James, off at college, Georgette went back to work part-time in an administrative capacity for several companies on the Cape. She continued to organize card games with her many relatives and friends who found themselves living seasonally on the Cape. She enjoyed travelling with Sittu and Giddu a few winters to Miami Beach and Kissimmee to enjoy the Florida sun and visit her son Dave who had moved to Miami full time in 1986.

For this past many years, the Cape home she shared with Albert, her husband of 65 years, was always open to her children and grandchildren. There would usually be meatballs and sausage simmering on the stove, Syrian bread and grape leaves or kibbe out on the table. Her chicken cutlets and custards were never around very long. The kitchen table was the epicenter of Gigi’s personality and where she shared with her family and friends much of her life’s happiness.

Of course, in her later years, Gigi continued to enjoy her trips to Foxwoods hotel and casino. She could turn a penny machine on its head every once in a while. Even in her last few years, while undergoing dialysis three times a week, she found the energy to meet her friends up at the BK bus stop in Barnstable, get on the early morning charter headed to Foxwoods, and spend a glamorous day out and about. Her zest for life, and the bravery she had to push her health to the limit inspires all who knew her.

Friends and Family are invited to attend Visiting Hours on Saturday, January 25, 2020, 8:30-11 am at Doane, Beal & Ames, 160 W. Main St., Hyannis, MA 02601. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Victory, 230 S. Main St., Centerville, MA 02632. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Georgette’s name to the Jimmy Fund, www.jimmyfund.org or to the Cape Cod Healthcare Foundation. To share a memory, or for online condolences, please visit www.doanebealameshyannis.com