Antinetta Ciruolo

Antinetta Ciruolo, aged 90, of Topsfield, passed away on May 25, 2024, after a period of declining health. She was the cherished wife of Saverio “Sam” Ciruolo, who predeceased her seven months ago. Born in Panni, Italy, on June 14, 1933, she was the daughter of the late Antonio and Rafaella (Totillo) Calitri. Raised and educated in her hometown, Antinetta immigrated to the United States in 1947 as a teenager, settling in Danvers and embracing the opportunities and challenges of her new life. As a teenager Antinetta worked at the Ideal Baby Shoe Company and understood the importance of hard work, she was a natural learner and saved money to build a future in her new country. Never wanting her driver’s license she was frequently seen walking from Danvers Square to Danversport and everywhere in between. In 1954, she married her beloved late husband, Sam. Through their 69 year long marriage they built a life together while raising five children. Antinetta loved her family deeply and was proud of their achievements. She was a wonderful mother who was always available when needed most, offering support, wisdom, and an abundance of love. Through her life and illness she embodied the importance of finding beauty in life’s simple moments and encouraged us to do the same, leaving behind a legacy of kindness and strength. Antinetta was dedicated to her family, finding joy in caring for her home, tending to her garden, sewing countless projects, and cooking meals filled with love. Her nurturing spirit and warm heart were the cornerstones of her family’s life. Antinetta believed strongly in her religious faith and was an active member at Saint Rose of Lima in Topsfield and Saint Mary of the Annunciation Church in Danvers. Antinetta played a crucial role in the operation of their family businesses, Sam & Joe’s Restaurant, Calitri’s Restaurant, and the Crane River Laundromat. Her strong work ethic earned her the respect of all those around her. It wasn’t uncommon for Antinetta to work long hours alongside her family, most often “behind the scenes” to help build three successful businesses with her husband, Sam. She is survived by her five children, Anthony Ciruolo and his partner Judy Lavoie of Danvers, Lena Madden and her husband Tom of Wolfeboro, NH, Ralph Ciruolo and his wife Denise of Danvers, Nancy Hagar and her husband Mark of Hampden, ME, and Saverio “Sam” Ciruolo, Jr. and his wife Sandra of Danvers, and she leaves behind her seventeen grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren, her sisters, Anna Lapolla and Mary Brooks, both of Danvers, as well as countless in-laws, nieces, nephews, and friends. She was predeceased by her brother, Joseph Calitri, and daughter-in-law, Marian Ciruolo. Antinetta’s Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, June 3, 2024 at 10AM in Saint Mary of the Annunciation Church, 24 Conant St., Danvers. Please meet directly at the church. Committal will follow in Annunciation Cemetery, Danvers. Relatives and friends are invited. Visiting hours are Sunday from 4-7PM in C.R. Lyons & Sons Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers. In lieu of flowers, donations in Antinetta’s memory may be made to Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan St., Danvers, MA 01923. To share an expression of sympathy with the Ciruolo family, please visit www.LyonsFuneral.com.