Antoinette Pallotto Lappin
Antoinette Pallotto Lappin, the matriarch of a well-known Merrimack Valley family and retired podiatrist has died at the age of 100. The life-long Dracut resident passed away Saturday night at D'Youville Manor in Lowell after a hard-fought battle with Parkinson's disease.
Known as "Toni" to her many friends she was the wife of the late Judge Francis L. Lappin, and mother to four children, seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Growing up she had a passion for horses and was an accomplished rider. Also in her youth she assisted her father Antonio Pallotto in his contracting business building roads all over the region. She liked to reminisce about when he ran short of dynamite caps she would load up a truck and drive off to the job, a few years shy of a legal driver's license.
For a woman of her generation she was a progressive earning a Doctor of Podiarty degree. Together she and her sister Dr. Anna P. Welch had a medical practice for many years at the Hildreth Building in downtown Lowell. Patients of Dr. Pallotto described her as especially gentle and caring to the elderly. She thought nothing of making pro bono house calls if it lessened someone's pain.
It was also in the Hildreth Building that she met an attorney just back from the war who became her future husband, Francis L. Lappin. For 46 years they built a life in Dracut at St. Michael's Parish in Lowell and in many social and community organizations, until his death in 1992.
Her special joy was as a mother. She eventually left her career and focused on raising her family and spending summers at Seabrook Beach, N.H.
She was a loving and generous mother who encouraged both fun and accomplishment.
Antoinette Lappin loved to entertain. She hosted many dinner parties for friends and family at her home. She could often be found playing golf at Vesper Country Club where she also competed in the bowling league. An avid card-player, she cackled with laughter as she defeated challengers in gin rummy and cribbage. Her hands were rarely idle. She loved to knit and needle point.
When it came to her grandchildren, Grandma Lappin's house was where they would go if they were sick or just in need of some homemade apple sauce. She banned cars from her driveway so that they could fly around on their Big Wheels in safety. She stressed etiquette and good manners at the table and in life.
Antoinette Lappin went to Dracut schools studied at Rogers Hall in Lowell and later graduated from Keith Hall. From there she graduated from Temple University and the Beacon School of Podiatry. She was the daughter of the late Antonio Pallotto and Anna Galli Pallotto.
She is survived by sons Michael A. Lappin of Lowell and companion Molly C. Parks of North Andover, Paul F. Lappin of Lowell and wife Mary Burns, daughters Martha Lappin Iarrapino of Lowell and husband Anthony J., Rosemary Lappin Mooney of Andover and husband Brian C. Her grandchildren are Anthony Nicholas L. Iarrapino and wife Joslyn Wilschek of Montpelier, Vt., Jennifer M. Lappin of Brussels, Belgium, Alexander Lappin of Lowell, Elizabeth L. Guttenplan of Lowell and husband Daniel, Andrew F. Lappin of Lowell and wife Shaela, Jessica Lappin Thurston of Lowell and husband Scott, Meredith Lappin Mooney of Cambridge, former daughter-in-law Carol Lappin Burkett of Dracut, favorite niece Pasqua F. Leary of Lowell and nephew George J. Frascarelli of Chelmsford.
The family also wishes to thank the nursing staff of D'Youville Manor for their superb care and compassion.
Friends may call at the O'DONNELL FUNERAL HOME 276 PAWTUCKET ST. at Fletcher from 4 to 8 P.M. Thursday. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday morning at ST. MICHAEL CHURCH in Lowell at 11 o'clock. Burial to immediately follow in St. Mary Cemetery in Tewksbury. E-condolences/directions at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in her memory to D’Youville Senior Care, 981 Varnum Ave, Lowell, MA 01865 or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163. Arrangements by Funeral Director James F. O'Donnell, Jr. (978) 458- 8768.
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