Salem…..

Lucia B. (Barbero) Cimini, age 105, wife of the late Antonio Cimini of Salem died Wednesday evening in the Grosvenor Park Nursing Home, Salem.

Lucia (or Lucy as she was known by her bingo buddies) was born on Feb 24, 1902 in Isola d' Asti, Italy. One of five daughters born to Vincenzo and Albina Barbero; she lived in a small village until the family immigrated to the United States in 1913. They settled in Pittsfield, MA; where she attended the local schools. A handsome Italian, Antonio Cimini, caught her eye and they married in 1921. They moved to Providence R.I., and over a span of 40 years, were the successful proprietors of a succession of small retail businesses: a restaurant, a Grocery and Meat Market, a Package Store, and an Inn located in Lee, MA. During the difficult years of the Depression, they quietly helped out many of their neighbors. Their only son, Libero graduated from Brown University with an Engineering Degree.

Upon retirement, they lived in Pittsfield, MA; close to her now late sisters: Josephine Merletto, Amalia Fresia, Mary Barea, and Rene La Chance and a large extended circle of family and friends. When Antonio passed away in 1969, Lucia relocated to the Peabody House in Peabody, MA, where she lived for 20 years before entering Grosvenor Park.

Lucia was a talented cook and loved baking homemade meals from scratch. Her Holiday favorites were usually the first to disappear and sneaky stratagies were needed to get the last bite.

She was an avid Bingo player, who could keep track of several cards at once while also knitting and socializing at the same time. She continued playing Bingo well past her 100th birthday.

Lucia's family wish to extend their gratitude to the staff at the Grosvenor Park for their devoted and loving care that made her stay enjoyable and comfortable.

She leaves her son, Libero and daughter-in-law, Carol Cimini; three grandchildren, Wendy Miaskiewicz, Tina Cimini, all of Salem, MA, and Richard Cimini of Chester, NH; and three great grandchildren; J.J. and Tony Miaskiewicz, of Salem, MA and Chelsea Cimini, of Chester, NH.

Her love of family, sharp, quick wit, and her joy of music and dance, plus her knitting creations and incomparable cooking touched us all. She will be greatly missed.

A gathering of relatives and friends will be held on Monday from 4 to 8 P.M. in the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St., Salem. Interment will be private. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to North Shore Elder Services, 152 Sylvan St., Danvers, MA 01923 or to the Grosvenor Park Nurisng Home Activity Fund, 7 Loring Hills Ave., Salem, Ma. 01970. For online guest book or additional information please visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com. or call 978 744 0497.