Elvira M. (Gagliardi) Siana

West Brookfield - Elvira M. (Gagliardi) Siana, 88, of West Brookfield, died on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 surrounded by her loving children.

Elvira was born in Stafford Springs, CT on January 9, 1934 to Louis and Delia (McCarville) Gagliardi.  She was the youngest of seven siblings.  Elvira proudly grew up on a farm in Brimfield before moving to Long Hill Rd. in West Brookfield when she was thirteen years old.  Elvira learned her work ethic from watching and helping her father and brothers taking care of the cattle before school each morning.  She graduated from Warren High School in 1952.  She worked at William E. Wright Company in Warren for 30 years.  After retirement she worked as a part-time courier for Harrington Hospital.

She leaves her son, Edward Rygiel and his wife Sheila of West Brookfield; her daughters Anna Tonna and her husband Andrew of West Brookfield, and Cheryl Dougan and her husband Daniel of Brookfield; seven grandchildren, Jackie (Duane) Rygiel, Carrie (Barny) Sanchez, Kelly Rygiel, Andrew (Sheena) Tonna, Allie (Leonard) Beane, Gina (Seth) Stemach, and Nicholas Dougan, as well as seven great-grandchildren Leah, Halle, Aiden, Maxwell, Mason, Gianna and Declan.  She also leaves several nieces and nephews, especially Harold Tibbetts and Leonard Gagliardi, whom she cherished.  She was predeceased by her husband of 44 years, Antonio J. Siana in 2002 and six siblings.

Elvira will be remembered for her quick wit, subtle charm, and her pride for her Italian heritage.  Where ever she went, her first question would be, "Are you Italian?"  She was truly the matriarch of her family. While she was the youngest of her siblings - they all came to her for love and direction when they needed it most.  Her children, grandchildren, and great-children brought her an immense amount of pride and joy.

Elvira was a long-time member of the Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish.  A Funeral Mass for her will be held on Thursday, April 28, 2022 at 11:00AM in Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in West Brookfield.  A calling hour will be held from 9:30 to 10:30AM on the same day in the Varnum Funeral Home, Inc., 43 East Main St., in West Brookfield.  Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery in West Brookfield following the mass.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Neonatal Critical Care Unit at UMass Memorial Hospital in Worcester online at support.umassmemorial.org.

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