Marie Irene (Lagasse) Fabbri

Marie Irene (Lagasse) Fabbri, a resident of Lynnfield for more than 60 years, passed away peacefully at age 97 on October 2nd, surrounded by her loving family at home.

Marie, the daughter of the late Eli and Marie Rose (Cartier) Lagasse and sister of the late Alice Conrad, was raised and educated in Haverhill during the Great Depression. She was proud to be a member of the first graduating class of Anna Maria College in 1950. Her passion for the arts led her to live at Villa Schifanoia, and attend their Fine Art school in Fiesole, Italy. Her maestros at the school were Primo Conti and Pietro Annigoni, who were well known Italian artists at the time and their works now hang in Pitti Palace and the Uffizzi. In Florence, Marie met her future husband, Alberto Fabbri, on a blind date. After returning to the States, Marie and Alberto wrote letters to each other, over a three year period. Marie returned to Florence to decide if she should marry Alberto. In 1954, the two were married in a private ceremony in the Great Hall of the Palazzo Vecchio. The next morning Marie return on her own to the United States. Marie contacted then Senator John Kennedy, to request a visa for Alberto. In the spring of 1955, Alberto joined Marie in Haverhill.

Marie and Alberto built a beautiful life together raising their family in Lynnfield and summering in Gloucester. They shared a love of art, cooking, gardening and travel. Marie enjoyed painting and many crafts; teaching her children and later her grandchildren to create and enjoy the arts. She and Alberto, who had a thriving medical practice in Wakefield, cherished celebrating holidays like Easter, Fourth of July and Christmas as a family. They were known for hosting lively family gatherings centered around homemade pasta lunches. The family could often be found gathering mussels, clams and all things seafood at the beach. Their zest for cooking, eating and enjoying family and friends instilled the same in their children. Marie and Alberto travelled extensively with their children and with close friends. They cherished each other and their family life together.

Marie was the beloved wife of the late Dr. Alberto Fabbri and loving mother of Rene’ Fabbri of Boxford, Luke Fabbri and his wife Patricia of Lynnfield, Eliza Giroux and her husband Gary of Marlborough, and Nicole Ryan and her husband Timothy of West Bloomfield, Michigan. She was the adoring “Mimi” to her grandchildren, Mia, Sophie, Elisa, Collin, Liam, Albert (wife Julie Hathaway), Selena (husband Mike Youngstrum), Christian and Anna. Most recently, Marie became a great grandmother to Roman, who lit up her life.

Marie’s Funeral Mass will be celebrated at All Saints Parish, 120 Bellevue Ave., Haverhill, MA on Saturday, October 25 at 11 AM. Visitation for relatives and friend will be held in the church prior to the mass from 10 – 11 AM. Interment following the mass at St. Joseph Cemetery, Haverhill. A Celebration of Marie’s life will be held at the Black Swan Country Club in Georgetown, between 1 and 4PM.

Arrangements are in the care of the McDonald Funeral Home, Wakefield. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.