Marie L. Calandra

Marie L. (Diodati) Calandra, age 83, of Bristol passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 28, 2023. She was the devoted wife of the late Ernest J. Calandra Sr. for 59 years before his passing in 2019. Born in Bristol and a lifelong resident, she was a daughter of the late Albert and Sadie (Lawrence) Diodati. She was a graduate of Colt Memorial High School, Bristol, Class of 1956. After graduation, Marie worked in the Secretarial field for many years. Marie married Ernest in 1960, and raised a family. In later years, Marie worked as a Physical Therapist Assistant at Metacom Manor (now Dawn Hill) nursing home and rehabilitation in Bristol. She then worked for Clifton Geriatric Center Somerset MA as Director of Physical Therapy retiring in 1997. She was a member of the PTG at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School and a communicant of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church. She volunteered with the former Bristol Good Neighbors Soup Kitchen and Pantry for over a decade. Marie also enjoyed her Saturday yard sales, gardening, and loved spending time with her family and trips with them especially to New Hampshire. She was a devoted grandmother and extremely excited for baby Frankie who would have been her first great-grandchild. Marie is survived by her children: Monica Beres (the late. Rev.Kenneth) of New Bedford, Ma., and Ernest J. Calandra, Jr. (Jeannine) of North Providence; three grandchildren, Tonya L. Pereira (Frank), Kyle L. Calandra (Robert Lombard), and Amanda K. Beres , two sisters Elizabeth D'Alessio (John) of Bristol, Diane Brassil (Daniel) of Carver, MA. She was predeceased by her brother Albert Diodati. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at 10 AM at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 141 State Street, Bristol. Burial will follow in St. Marys Cemetery, Chestnut Street, Bristol. The family offers sincerest appreciation to Hope Hospice and many staff members at Dawn Hill Nursing Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital. Services Relatives and Friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday April 11, 2023 10:00 AM Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church 141 State St. Bristol, RI 02809 Cemetery St. Mary's Cemetery Chestnut Street Bristol, RI