Antoinette M. (Cugini) Whiting

Mrs. Antoinette M. (Cugini) Whiting of Auburndale, MA died at home on Saturday, January 23, 2021, surrounded by her loving family. She was 91.

Antoinette was born on August 16, 1929 in Newton. Although not the youngest of her siblings, she was the last remaining child of nine children born to Italian immigrants Carlo and Antoinette (Mazzola) Cugini. Raised in Newton, she later married Thomas S. Whiting on November 25, 1951 at Our Lady's Church, Newton. Remaining lifelong Newton residents, they made Auburndale their home for over 58 years. Long active in Corpus Christi - Saint Bernard Parish, she was a dedicated member of The Legion of Mary for 40 years, and was a volunteer at Corpus Christi Parish where part of her duties as a volunteer was to make weekly visits to cheer up the parishioners who were unable to leave their homes (shut-ins), provide them with religious reading materials, and give communion to them. She was also a tireless advocate for seniors living in various nursing homes and senior centers in Newton and Waltham, finding out what they needed and then advocating on their behalf.

She was an active member of the Corpus Christi Guild for many years, where she assumed the role of President from 1985-1986. She held wonderful functions each month in the church hall to help raise money for Corpus Christi, raising more money the year she was President than any preceding President (something her children were all very proud of). She recruited her five daughters to become members in the Guild, not only to include them, but also so they would invite/recruit their friends to attend the functions that she put together for the Guild – one of the many benefits of having seven children!

Antoinette's life was filled with the rich blessings of family, friends and faith. Her home was a place where all were welcome and where something good to eat was always at hand. Her heart was kind and generous as she cared for, doted on, and instilled discipline and faith in her seven children. She prayed the Rosary every day and prayed for the well being of all her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and her friends. Psalm 128 is a blessing in which we ask to live to see our children's children. Antoinette was blessed to enjoy the youth of her fifteen grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. In addition to raising her own family, she did private duty care so that she would be able to set aside 'Christmas money' while her husband worked hard at his job as owner and operator of Thomas Whiting Masonry. They loved traveling, but mostly loved spending time relaxing along the coastal shores of Cape Cod with family and friends.

She loved to sing! She loved to dance! At any function, she would always take her children by the hand and escort them to the dance floor! She loved to laugh and play with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, retaining a child-like quality throughout her entire adult life! She was deeply spiritual, compassionate, loving, and empathetic. She showed kindness for those less fortunate and gave without expecting anything in return, even when she herself did not have much. She was a champion for the underdog, for the less fortunate.

When her children were younger, she organized fundraising events in her backyard. Every summer she would gather all her children, their friends, and anyone she could recruit to help with the Yearly Fair, the proceeds of which would be donated to The Muscular Dystrophy Association. She had jobs for her children to do: collect donated items from the neighbors for the white elephant table, set up a snow cone station, a bean toss station, etc. She was always thinking of ways to keep her children busy, while teaching them life lessons.

She was such a fun mother. She and Tom would host 4th of July parties in their backyard, complete with fireworks, food, and festivities for everyone to enjoy. All were invited! She loved Christmas. It was one of her favorite holidays. She and Tom hosted Christmas Eve parties, inviting all the neighbors, friends, and family - an open house. She made sure there was enough food and drink for the party to last well into the wee hours of the morning. Those parties were legendary! She was always smiling and enjoying her children. She would say, "Please go out and play. Just come home when the street lights come on." If the children were not home by dark, their father would whistle and they knew they were being called to come home. She and Tom provided the warmest, most loving home for their children.

In addition to Thomas, her husband of 69 years, she is predeceased by her son-in-law Philip Divino and siblings Carmella Grossi, Louis, Albert, Joseph and Lawrence Cugini, Lucy Cerri and Pauline Grossi. She is survived by her children: Theresa Casavant (Robert) of Auburndale, MA, Darlene Divino of Auburndale, MA, Linda Ferguson (Joseph) of Framingham, MA, Gail LiDonni (Felix) of Norwood, MA, Thomas Whiting (Wendy) of Dennisport, MA, Mary Chiaravalloti (Paul) of Norwood, MA, and Anthony Whiting (Gretchen) of Hudson, NH. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Bobby Casavant (Katie), Michael Casavant, Christina Casavant-Towers (Jeff Towers), Coree Divino, Danielle Ferguson (Brian Johnson), Joseph Ferguson (Laura), Jenna Ferguson, Amanda Kovalcik (Dan), Alex LiDonni, Thomas Whiting, Nicolette Whiting, Daniel Chiaravalloti, Jake Whiting, Brittney Whiting, and Samantha Whiting, as well as her great-grandchildren: Stella, Robby, Dominic, Layla, Alex, McKinley, Chloe, Evan, Alex K. and Claire, and many nieces and nephews.

Out of an abundance of love and caution for family and friends funeral services will be private.

Antoinette's family invites you to participate via this link on Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. https://my.gather.app/family/antoinette-whiting

Memorial donations may be made in Antoinette's name to St. Jude Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (www.stjude.org)
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Tuesday, December 22, 2020 – a note from the funeral home pursuant to Governor Baker's recent order:

During times of uncertainty and crisis one might wonder what to do at the loss of a loved one or how to show support to a friend given the limitations that the pandemic continues to present.

Telephone your friend to offer words of love, support and a verbal hug, drop something delicious by the house, leave a condolence on the funeral home website, make a donation to their favored charity, send a card or flowers or have a Mass said, remain in touch, and above all else . . . say prayers for the deceased and their family and the world during this difficult and unprecedented time.

These simple gifts of sympathy and charity are more valuable than you will ever know.

When public wakes are held capacity limits mean that your visit to the venue where they are held should be brief to allow other guests time to say hello to the family. Only members of the immediate family remain present throughout.

It goes without saying that people who have lost someone are especially sensitive and understanding to the concerns that some of their own family members and friends may have about visiting any public places right now. If this does not feel like the right time for you to venture out please don't.

Space limitations also mean that funeral services inside the funeral home and in many places of worship will also be private. Most services, at the family's request, will also be livestreamed and recorded for future viewing. The link to access the channel is found at the bottom of the obituary notice online.

Cemetery services are included in the current outdoor gathering limit of twenty-five people.

During any events, public or private, common sense precautions prevail. That includes masks covering your nose and mouth, staying with your household group throughout the services and keeping a sensible distance. Thank you . . . again . . . for your patience and understanding.