Kennebunk, ME- Matilde D’Augusta, 96 years died January 13, 2019 at the Kennebunk Center for Health and Rehabilitation.

Matilde was born January 28, 1922 in Catania Italy, one of nine children of Luigi and Rosina Pentimalli, Sr. She loved the excitement of the city and helping out in her father’s coffee shop. Every summer the whole family would travel to spend the summer at the beach in Sicily. She loved the beach and loved to swim in the ocean. She emigrated to the United States 50 plus years ago. Matilde settled in Boston with her then husband and two children and worked many years in the Garment District of Boston as a seamstress. She would later take many trips back to Italy with her children and later in life her grandchildren.

“Nonna” loved her family and especially loved doting on her grandchildren, great grandchildren and her great great grandchild. She used the talent she had to crochet many, many, blankets for all of them. She loved to cook and feed you whenever to came to visit even if you were not hungry. She would not take no for an answer. You had to have something to eat or drink. It was that feisty and caring personality that made her so well loved by everyone. She enjoyed shopping and looking for deals. Her silk flowers and floral tablecloths always matched the season and when she moved to the nursing home that did not stop. She would make several arrangements for the common areas as well as her friends that lived there. She was always helping and making sure everyone was okay and had what they needed. That along with her spunk made her a favorite amongst the staff. She was often fought over between the staff as to who was going to “take care” of her as she was very independent to the very end. She had many visits throughout the day from the girls to just chat and even taught them some Italian. The staff at Kennebunk Center for Health and Rehabilitation treated her like she was their Nonna. We could never thank them enough for the care and love she was given. She loved to tell stories from when she was young and growing up in Italy. She loved to reminisce about the little shops and cafes on the cobblestone streets of Venice and Catania. She had a strong faith in God and would say the Rosary every night before bed. She would follow along with a Missalette during the holidays, to the masses on TV, and receive communion every week.

In addition to her siblings, Matilde was predeceased by her son, Luigi D’Augusta.

Matilde is lovingly remembered by her son Peter D’Augusta and his wife, Tina, of Revere, MA; her daughter, Rita Iannillo and her husband, Tony, of Kennebunk, ME; three grandchildren, Louis D’Augusta (Cathy) Jessica Durfee (Chuck) and Jason Iannillo (Nicole); nine great grandchildren, Darcie (Joe), Julie, Daniel, Amanda, Alexandria, Amy, Lily, Jace, Ella and one great great grandchild Zoe.

Friends may visit on Friday, January 18, 2019 from 2-3 pm at Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer Street, Kennebunk, ME 04043. A memorial service will follow at 3 pm with Father Fred Morse from Holy Spirit Parish.