Community Remembers Rena Berardi

Rena M. Berardi, born Gasparina Maria Carbonello, 87, died with her family by her side on Dec. 25 after a long illness.

A Framingham resident her entire life, she was the beloved wife of 62 years to Michael G. Berardi. She was the daughter of the late Josephine (Lombardo) and Gaetano Carbonello. A graduate of the Framingham High School Class of 1944, she played clarinet with the Sons of Italy Band. Rena was a member of the St. Tarcisius Women's Guild. She was employed by Fenwal Inc. of Ashland, and later she worked for the Framingham Planning Board for 23 years. She held a great appreciation for music and movies. Rena most enjoyed spending time with her family and loved to cook and entertain.

Rena will be remembered with great affection by her five children and their spouses: Thomas M. Berardi and Deirdre Grenier of Northborough, Paul S. Berardi and Paula of Westborough, Mary-Anne Berardi Guild and Warner Guild of Hopkinton, Michael G. Berardi Jr. and Kathleen of Northborough, Jo-Ellen Berardi McCarrick and James McCarrick of Upton.

She also leaves five grandchildren: Marielle Berardi, Barret and Blair Guild, and Allison and Lauren Berardi, as well as a large extended family of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Rena is predeceased by her four loving sisters.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral Mass on Monday at 10 a.m. in St. Tarcisius Church, 562 Waverley St. (Route 135), Framingham. Burial will follow in the family lot in St. Tarcisius Cemetery, Framingham.

Visiting hours at the Norton Funeral Home, 53 Beech St. (corner of Union Avenue), Framingham will be Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Rena may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 480 Pleasant St., Watertown, MA 02472 or the American Heart Association, PO Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241.