Mary (Ribecca) Volpe

Our dear mother Mary Volpe passed away Monday, February 13, 2023, at the age of 97 after a rich and full life. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and will be deeply missed.

Mary was born, Maria Paola Ribecca, in Philadelphia Pennsylvania on May 12, 1925.  She was one of five children. On September 6, 1952, she married Nicholas P. Volpe. After making Queens, New York their first home, they welcomed their eldest daughter, Irene.  The family moved to New Jersey, and welcomed a son, Joseph and daughter Maria. 

Mary was a wife, mother, and homemaker as well as a devout Catholic whose faith was an anchor throughout her life. Known always as someone who shared the fruits of her kitchen, she will be fondly remembered for the many delicious treats she brought to most gatherings she attended.  From her first job at Whitman Candies in Philadelphia to her last employment at the Children’s Exchange in Cohasset Village she was a fixture in whatever community she joined. In addition to her family, friends and work she loved to stay busy cooking, knitting (especially with the Gifted Hands group at Saint Anthony’s Church), doing crafts, gardening, going for walks, and attending all kinds of gatherings. Mary was always happy to join a concert, show, town event, or party.  The more people around her the happier she was.

Mary is preceded in death by her loving husband, Nicholas P. Volpe, father, Joseph Ribecca, mother, Sara Ribecca, and all of her siblings.  She is survived by her three children, Irene (Michael), Joseph (Jane), and Maria (Jeff), her grandchildren, Marisa, Travis, Carson and Emma, her precious great-grandsons, Nicholas and Julian, and many loving nieces and nephews.

Friends and relatives are invited to attend a memorial mass on Wednesday, March 29th at 10 AM at Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church at 2 Summer Street in Cohasset, MA. A reception will be held in the church hall immediately following the service at 11 AM. Everyone is welcome to join in this celebration and share stories and fond memories of Mary.

In lieu of flowers, we invite you to donate to the Cohasset Elder Affairs in Mary’s name. She spent many happy hours enjoying community events and activities at the Willcutt Commons Center. These donations can be addressed to Cohasset Elder Affairs and sent to 91 Sohier Street, Cohasset, MA  02025.

The family will bring Mary’s ashes to be buried with her husband Nick in New Jersey later this year.