Maria "Mary" Concetta Niro

Maria Concetta (Bilotta) “Mary” Niro died peacefully in her sleep, at the age of 92, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Filadelfia, Calabria, Italy on May 8, 1930, she was the daughter of the late Vito and Francesca (Rondinelli) Bilotta formerly of East Walpole, MA. Mary immigrated with her mother and three siblings to the United States in 1937, reuniting with her father and beginning a new life with her family in Norwood and later East Walpole.

Unable to speak English upon arriving, her quiet and kind demeanor was recognized by a young girl named Eleanor Gregory who helped Mary communicate with her teachers and classmates. They would become cherished lifelong friends. Mary graduated in 1949 from Henry O. Peabody School at Norwood High where she was named prom queen and learned the art of dressmaking. Mary soon found herself working in Boston for a major bridal dressmaker, a position she loved and where her seamstress skills shone. 

Eventually, her love for numbers led her back to Norwood for a position at Norwood Bank; however, her sewing continued to be an integral part of her life. In her eventual role as a homemaker, Mary enjoyed sewing garments for herself, her children and grandchildren. Mary’s flair for fashion and sewing talent kept her family in stylish and beautiful clothing while her love of family and Italian traditions kept them well fed and more importantly, deeply connected to each other and their culture. 

Mary’s food was pure love. Many of her family’s most revered memories are of meals Mary prepared for them to share together as a family. Her beloved Feast of the Seven Fishes, potato croquettes, and perfect Italian wedding cookies (to name a few) will be passed on through her children, grandchildren, and so forth as everlasting evidence of Mary’s love for them and the value of family traditions. 

It was in 1956 that Mary’s decision to attend a dance at the local Elks in Norwood would change her life forever. There she met her soulmate, Leon, and their love story began. It was love at first sight and they were married on June 10, 1956, at St. Mary’s in East Walpole. Their devotion to one another inspired all who knew them during their almost 66 years of marriage. They were an example of what a marriage can and should be. Their life together would not be without struggles but each trial brought them closer; proving that their love for one another was unwavering. 

After Leon and Mary wed, they moved to Walpole and settled in the house that would become their forever home. Within those walls they would welcome three beautiful daughters, losing one daughter far too soon, but raising two women that, in turn, filled their home with seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren. She would always ask her grown daughters, “Who's home?” when she called them to chat. To her, home was where the people you love are. With “Mary”, “Ma”, “Nonnie”, you were always at home. 

In addition to being remembered as a loving wife, mother, Nonnie and Great Nonnie, Mary will be remembered for her friendship, her steadfast Catholic faith, and her loyalty by those who were blessed enough to know her. Mary was a member of the local Sons of Italy in Norwood for many years and longtime parishioner of Blessed Sacrament Church in Walpole.  

A beloved wife of Leon Niro. Loving mother of Marylee Mutrie and her husband Michael Mutrie of Walpole, Lucille Nethercote and her husband William Nethercote of Wells, ME (formerly Norfolk, MA), and the late Frances Niro. A cherished “Nonnie” of Meaghan, AnnMarie, Michael, William, Christopher, David, and Melissa. And an adoring “Great Nonnie” to Leon, Harriet, and Graham. Sister of Palma De Grazia of Franklin, the late Victoria Antonuccio of Medford and the late Bruno Bilotta East Walpole. Mary also leaves behind many cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends. 

Mary will be interred beside her daughter Frances Niro at St. Francis Cemetery in Walpole. Funeral arrangements will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Old Colony Hospice who cared for Mary with the utmost love and respect in her final days, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or Alzheimer's Association. 

Arrangements by James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, Walpole.