Fortunata (Diresta) Suppappola

Fortunata (DiResta) Suppappola, 92, of Fall River passed away on Saturday, February 27, 2021, at home.  She was the devoted wife of Ubaldo Suppappola with whom she was married for 71 years.

Born in Fontonaradina, Italy, she was the daughter of the late Giovanni and Maria (Pietro) DiResta.  She married, had two sons, then remained in Italy for two and a half years while her husband returned to America, where he was born, to establish a new life for them.  She and her son journeyed across the Atlantic, by ship, to join him in 1954. They lived in East Greenwich before moving to Fall River in 1957 and had their daughter a few years later.  Fortunata was proud when she became a citizen of the United States.

She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother with a big heart who always put everyone else’s needs first.  She was a seamstress at various manufacturing businesses in the Fall River garment industry for many years, including Gamma Leather, Darwood Manufacturing, and Cliftex.  Her co-workers nicknamed her “Lucky” to coincide with the English translation of her name.  She was named Fortunata because she was to be a twin, but her mother sustained a fall prior to her birth causing only her to survive so she was considered very “fortunate”.  She was an excellent cook, preparing all of her Italian dishes from scratch, and liked sewing and crocheting, as well.  Once retired, she and her husband went on 16 cruises and enjoyed many bus trips together.

She was predeceased by her first son, Domenico, who passed away at 10 days old.  Besides her husband, she is survived by her second son, Domenico Suppappola and his wife Dale; daughter, Anna Hannigan and her husband, Thomas; was “Nana” to three grandchildren: Daniel Kirkpatrick, Lisa Laramy, Michael Suppappola and wife, Azadeh, great-grandchild, Evan; and several nieces and nephews.  She was the sister of the late Evelina Ruggiero and Giovanni DiResta.

Her family would like to offer so much gratitude to the Southcoast VNA and Hospice team who were an integral part of her care.  A “great big thank you” to Ana, Sally, and Rebecca from Hospice and to Grace from Friendly Care for the exceptional care she received during her final year.  They all went out of their way to lovingly treat her and our dad like they were part of their own family.

Her funeral service and burial will be private and are entrusted to the Auclair Funeral Home, 690 South Main Street, Fall River.  Online condolences at AuclairFuneralHome.com.