Anita E. DeCaro

Springfield – Anita E. (Berte) DeCaro, January 21, 1928 – May 25, 2019. That small dash between her birth date and death represents a life that was dedicated to loving and giving to others. It was fitting that she died in the home she loved so much, surrounded by her family. A home where she and her late husband, Joseph, welcomed all who passed through their doors.

Anyone who knew her knows when Anita gets to heaven she’ll be converting everyone to become Yankees fans. She will win them over with her delicious Italian cookie recipes, her spectacular baking, her creative sense of design, her sense of humor…and when all else fails, she might resort to yielding a paint brush or garden tool. But it was her heart that won everyone over. Because with that tool she conquered her world. She was love, unbridled and unconditional – and that made all the difference.

Leaving behind to cherish her memory is her brother Jerome Berte of Springfield, as well as her two daughters Nancy Malone (Ernest “Mim”) of Agawam, Sandy Federico (Carmelo “Mel”) of Springfield; six grandchildren: Jason Malone (Maggie), Lauren Malone, and Paul, Dina and Joseph Federico; and two great-grandchildren: Nico and Antonio. Anita was predeceased by her parents Angelo and Diamanta (Barbieri) Berte, her six brothers: Frank, Pete, Lou, Alfred, Joe and Ray; and four sisters: Edith, Virginia D’Agostino, Emma Geoffroy, and Frances. The family is forever grateful to Dr. Darren O’Neill for the way he went above and beyond for Anita’s compassionate care.

Family and friends are invited to meet for visiting hours on Thursday, May 30, 2019 from 4:00-7:00pm at the Forastiere Smith Funeral Home on 220 North Main Street in East Longmeadow. The funeral will be on Friday, May 31st beginning at the funeral home at 9:15am, with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10:30am in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church on 123 William Street in Springfield, and burial will follow in St. Michael’s Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made in Anita’s memory to the “It Happened to Alexa” Foundation, 411 Center St., Lewiston, NY 14092 or to Raymond A. Berte Scholarship Fund, C/O Springfield College, 263 Alden St., Springfield, MA 01109-3797.