With deep sadness, we announce the passing of Carmela (Patania) Giubilo, beloved wife of the late Pasquale Giubilo, who peacefully left us on November 28th 2024, surrounded by the love of her devoted family. Born in Augusta, Sicily, on September 11th 1932. Carmela was one of eight children of Domenico and Teresa Patania.

From the age of 3, she showed a passion for music, and her beautiful voice was often heard in local schools, where her mother would take her to sing folk songs. However, during World War II, the bombings in Augusta interrupted her education, and the priority became keeping the family safe. After the war, Carmela began sewing lessons and quickly became the family seamstress, she was extremely talented with a needle and thread.

At the age of 23 she was starting her own sewing business, but God had other plans for her. Fate (family members) introduced her to Pasquale, who gave her 3 days to accept his wedding proposal and move to the United States. She accepted and they married shortly after on July 21 st, 1956. Together, they embarked on a journey that would shape a loving, close-knit family. In 1957 she gave birth to her first child and in 1958 they left Italy and sailed to America where her husband Pasquale was waiting for them. Yet, despite the hardships, her determination shone through as she built a life full of love, care, and unwavering devotion. The family grew and the couple welcomed three other children. At times she missed her family back in Sicily terribly, but she met many people who not only became her lifelong friends but also her family.

As a mother, Carmela was a pillar of love and strength. She gave her all to raise her children, constantly showing them her endless devotion. She not only sewed clothes with love for each of them including the most beautifully detailed and intricate wedding gown, but she also created a home filled with warmth, where family was everything. As years passed and the family grew through generations she would sew clothes for her grandchildren as well. Her cooking and baking also brought delight to the palate, especially her most delicious biscotti of many varieties. It is difficult to capture in words just how profoundly Carmela's life was dedicated to caring for her family, including in her later years when she took meticulous care of her beloved husband, Pasquale, after his life altering accident in 2004, supporting him for seven years until his passing in 2011. Her love for him, and for all her children, was truly boundless. Carmela’s role as a grandmother and great-grandmother was something that brought her immense joy and watching them grow brought her immeasurable happiness. They were the lights of her life. She was indeed a perfect nonna!

A proud and loving member of the St. Domenic Society and the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Society, Carmela remained deeply connected to her faith and her community throughout her life. 

Carmela is survived by her children: Domenica Coughlin and her husband Kevin of Quincy; Teresa Giubilo-Strazzulla and her husband Domenico of Augusta (Italy); Carmen Giubilo of East Boston; and John Giubilo and his wife Rosana of East Boston.

Loving grandmother to Maria, James, Alessio, Matthew, Cristian, Christopher, Francesca, Gabriela, and Isabella. Carmela’s great-grandchildren, Cristina, William, Abigail, and Burton who brought her great joy in her later years. She was predeceased by her six siblings and is survived by her brother Vittorio Patania of Augusta (Italy). 

Carmela is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and sisters in law, all of whom will miss her warmth, kindness, and devotion. 

She will be remembered by all who knew her for her immense love, her kindness, her strength, and her unwavering devotion to her family.

Ti porteremo sempre nel nostro cuore, ti vogliamo bene!!!

Family and friends will honor Carmela's life at the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home in East Boston on Wednesday, December 4th from 3:00-7:00 PM and again on Thursday morning at 8:30 AM before a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM at St. Joseph - St. Lazarus Church in East Boston, with a procession to follow to Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in Carmela's name to St. Anthony Shrine, 100 Arch Street, Boston MA 02110 or donate online at https://stanthonyshrine.org/giving/gift/.