Laurie J. Fantini

Laurie Jean (McMahon) Fantini, age 75, of Upton, wife of the late Ralph Fantini, Jr., passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Friday, October 3, 2025, after a brief illness.

Laurie was born in Marlborough, MA on the 6th of July 1950. She was the daughter of Henry McMahon and Dorothy T. McMahon (Nichols). She is survived by her three daughters: Monica Turner and her husband Shawn of Millbury, Sheri Anderson and her husband Donnie of Upton, and Sheila Dalesio and her husband David of Milford. Laurie also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren, Evan and Emma Turner, Nicholas and Hannah Anderson, Celia, Sophia and Antonio Peniche, and Dylan Dalesio.

Laurie was a strong woman, facing and overcoming countless obstacles life placed in her path, always with the goal of being present for her family. Her days were filled with joy, faith, and love. She was rarely without a smile, a song, or her beautiful laugh. Her strong will carried her through heartbreak, especially after losing our dad, yet she never gave up. Family was everything to her – whether through traditions, celebrations, or the simple act of being together. She lived with a deep and abiding faith, and unshakable spirit, and a love that bound us all.

She leaves behind a legacy of resilience, warmth, and devotion that will live forever in the hearts of those who knew her. And while we grieve her death, Laurie will remain ever present in our lives through the wonderful memories which she helped to create – memories we take with us as we move forward in life.

Laurie attended Nipmuc High School and soon after met the love of her life, Ralph. They were married in 1968 and were inseparable. They lived in Massachusetts and Arizona while raising their family. She worked several jobs as a seamstress throughout her life until she started her own business, Window Expressions, where she made custom window treatments, until retirement.

She was a former Upton Bloomer Girl, board member of the Upton Council on Aging and communicant of St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish. It made her happy to sing in the choir and provide comfort singing at funerals for parish members at Holy Angels and St. Gabriel’s for many years. She had a beautiful voice, enjoyed karaoke, and could harmonize with any song. She really enjoyed events and trips with her family as well as with the Upton Senior Center where she made many friends who were like family to her. She had a knack for writing songs and poems and even had a few published.

Laurie is also survived by her sisters and brothers, Mary Carmel Nevers of Phoenix, AZ, Pat Adams of Milford, Robert McMahon and his wife Charlotte of Charlton, Joe McMahon and his wife Marie of Upton, Michelle Kist and her husband Andy of Peoria, AZ, Michael McMahon of Phoenix, AZ and many nieces, nephews, and extended family across the country. She is pre-deceased by her husband, Ralph, her parents, Henry and Dorothy, and her sisters Francis Errico and Roberta (Bernie) Tebo.

We’d like to thank all the doctors and nurses at the UMASS University Hospital in Worcester for all their efforts.

Her funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, October 9th at 10:30 A.M. at St. Gabriel’s Archangel Church, 151 Mendon Street, Upton. A graveside service will follow at Lakeview Cemetery in Upton.

Calling hours will be on Wednesday, October 8th from 4 to 7 P.M. at the Pickering & Son Upton Funeral Home, 45 Main Street, Upton, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be sent to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital via www.stjude.org/donate or to Shriners Hospitals for Children via donate.shrinerschildrens.org.