Mary A. Gardella

Mary Angela (Harrington) Gardella, age 97, of Somerset, formerly of Fall River, died Friday, April 12, 2013 at the Catholic Memorial Home where she had lived since 2009. She was the wife of the late Frank J. Gardella.

Born in Fall River, a daughter of the late Thomas A. and Elizabeth A. (Larkin) Harrington, she moved to Somerset in 1957. She was a “Top 10” graduate of B.M.C. Durfee High School, class of 1932 and earned her Associate’s Degree in Secretarial Science from Bryant College in 1934. At Bryant she was the recipient of the “Secretarial Medal” and was the top student of the class. Mrs. Gardella worked at the Biltmore Hotel in Providence, spent 20 years as a homemaker, and later worked at Somerset High School and at the Gilbert C. Oliveira Insurance Agency in Fall River from which she retired in 1985.

She was a communicant of St. Joseph’s Church while in Fall River and St. Thomas More Church while in Somerset. She was a member of the St. Thomas More Retirees and the Somerset Catholic Women’s Club. She was a lifelong sports fan, particularly of the Red Sox, and a big time chocoholic.

She is survived by her son; Bob Gardella and his wife Judi Hess of Bolton, MA., one sister; Elizabeth A. Manning of Somerset, two grandsons; Stephen F. Gardella of New York City, and David A. Gardella of San Francisco , two step grandsons; Brian M. Hess and his wife Liz of Bolton, MA., and Adam N. Hess and his wife Erin of Union , NJ, three step great grandchildren; Isabella, William Andrew, and Charlotte Hess, and over 40 nieces and nephews. She was sister of the late Margaret H. Mullaly, John and Thomas Harrington, Francis A. Ryding and Edward J. Harrington.

Her funeral will be held on Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at 9:00AM from the WARING-SULLIVAN HOME OF MEMORIAL TRIBUTE at ROSE E. SULLIVAN, 866 County St. Somerset, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00AM in St. Thomas More Church, 385 Luther Ave., Somerset. Burial in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Fall River. Visiting hours Tuesday from 4:00 to 7:00PM. Contributions in her honor may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Thomas More Church, 386 Luther Ave. Somerset, MA. 02726 or to Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library, please visit “Tribute Giving” at Perkins.org.