Antonina Cinqueonce

Waltham – Mrs. Antonina (Faranda) Cinqueonce, of Waltham, died Saturday, January 11, 2014 at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Needham. She was 81.

Antonina was born in Ucria, Sicily on May 27, 1932, the oldest of six children born to the late Domenico and Carmela (Orefice) Faranda. She immigrated to the United States in 1973 and settled with her family in Waltham.

She immediately set about learning everything she could about her new homeland, embracing everything that America had to offer, and her new nation looked kindly upon her. She adopted a new language and new surroundings with ease and made a career as a seamstress working out of her home. Antonina loved trips into Boston's North End and shopping district, always using public transportation. Within a short time she knew the bus, train and trolley routes in and around Boston better than a native. Her tremendous capacity to learn and her inquisitive nature served her well throughout her life.

She leaves her husband, Biagio Cinqueonce; her children, Concetta Longhitano, of Waltham, and her companion, Gino Galante, Nancy Pesce and her husband, Anthony, of Woburn, Gina Pino and her husband, Frank, of Lexington, Salvatore Leanza Cinqueonce and his wife, Kelly, of Sudbury and Carmelo Cinqueonce and his wife, Liz, of Hugo, Minnesota; her grandchildren, Frederica Concepcion, Samuele Longhitano, Thomas and Michael Perry, Alexander and Jaclyn Fetbroth, Nicholas, Gianna and Sara Leanza, Allison and Jayna Carpenter and Gabriela Cinqueonce; her great-grandchildren, Chase, Evan, Roman, Nina, Chiara and Emanuele; her sisters, Maria Spoto and her husband, Vincenzo and Matilde DiFiore and her husband, Dominic, all of Waltham; her sisters-in-law, Felicia and Alfina Faranda and many nieces and nephews.

She was also a sister of the late Sebastiano, Arturo and Sarina Faranda.

Family and friends will honor and remember Antonina's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Tuesday, January 14th, from 5 to 8 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Wednesday morning before leaving in procession to Sacred Heart Church, 311 River Street, Waltham where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Waltham.