SHREWSBURY, Massachusetts – Michele A. (Faford) Manzello, 47, of Shrewsbury, devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend passed away at the Ichabod Washburn Hospice Residence on March 17, 2013 with her cherished family by her side after a valiant battle with cancer.

Michele was born August 16th 1965, in Worcester, one of three children. She leaves behind her devoted husband, Robert J. Manzello; her beloved son, Anthony Manzello; parents, Edward and Barbara (Sullivan) Faford; two brothers, Edward Faford and his wife Brenda and brother Bob Hughes. She also leaves nieces, Tara, Kelly, Amy, Tracy, Caitlin, Michaella, Paige, and nephew, Tanner, as well as great nieces and nephews and many friends.

Michele grew up in Grafton and graduated from Grafton High School, class of 1984. She then continued her education at Southern Massachusetts University (now UMass Dartmouth), earning her bachelor’s degree in Science from Worcester State University. Michele started her career as a chemist at the Wyman Gordon Company where she met the man who would become her soul mate and devoted husband for the next 22 years, Robert Manzello. Most recently Michele was a forensic chemist at the University of Massachusetts Medical School where she worked for more than 10 years before retiring due to illness.

Michele was a dedicated wife and mother, who found her greatest joy in caring for her family. Her son Anthony, whom she placed number one in her life, was her pride and life’s inspiration. She had a wonderful sense of humor and an infectious smile that would light up any room. Michele enjoyed entertaining at her home, especially during the holiday season. Michele could routinely be found working out daily in the gym or golfing at Tatnuck or Mount Pleasant Country Clubs. She loved the beach, gardening and attending her son’s sporting events.

Friends and relatives are invited to visit with the family, Thursday, March 21, 2013 from 4 pm to 7 pm in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME AND CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St. Her funeral will be celebrated on Friday, March 22, 2013 at 10:00 am in St. John’s Catholic Church, 44 Temple St. (please go directly to church). Entombment will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton. In lieu of flowers, memorial remembrances in her name can be made to: Ichabod Washburn Hospice Residence, 1183 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01603

EDITORS NOTE:  Once again this week I’m saddened by the tragic loss of someone that I was fortunate enough to get to know over the years.  One of the things about life in a small town, especially when you have a few kids, is that you come to know so many people, and share so many memorable moments.  Michelle was one of my favorite “bleacher buddies” during the years when Anthony was in little league with my son.  Always one of the happiest people there, it got to the point where if I arrived early at the ball field I knew I would be bored until she came, and when she would finally arrive, the whole place was sunnier for it.  I have to agree with the formal note above, in that she had such a fantastic sense of humor.  Inevitably at one point in the game or another she would scream out “Anthony!” as loud as she could, which often was followed by a a few of us replying in unison “….it’s Prince Spaghetti day!” and then Michelle and everyone else bursting into giggles.  I guess you have to be old enough to remember that commercial…but we had so much fun in those warm summers at Dean Park and up at North Shore.  Words can’t begin to express how sorry we all feel, and all of us in our family send our deepest condolences to Bob and Anthony. If there’s anything we can do, please reach out and we’d be honored to help.  Steve Levine