Grace (DiSilvestri) Mahoney

Grace M. (DiSilvestri) Mahoney, 85, of Worcester, a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, passed away surrounded by the family she loved, Friday, January 16th 2026 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Grace was born in Worcester, the daughter of Italian immigrants Felix and Caroline (Ricciardi) DiSilvestri. She grew up in Worcester and graduated from Commerce High School. In 1964, Grace married the “Love of her Life” Francis “Butch” Mahoney, in Our Lady of Mt Carmel Church. They settled in the Harrington Way neighborhood of Worcester, raising their family with faith, commitment and love for 58 years before Butch left her side on March 1st, 2022.

She leaves behind three children, Denise (Mahoney) Houle of Worcester, Francis J. “Butch” Mahoney, Jr. and his wife Kelly of Holden, and Shawn Mahoney of Worcester; four grandchildren, Nicholas and Nathan Houle, Caroline and Colleen Mahoney; a sister, Eleanor Wallace of Worcester and many nieces and nephews. Grace was predeceased by her daughter-in-law, Tessa (Mattress) Mahoney, in December 2021; brothers, Joseph and Domenic DiSilvestri and four sisters, Antoinette Zoppo, Anne Vecchio, Rose Auger and Michelina Sarkisian.

Grace alongside Butch were always the life of the party and it was common for them to break into a "Jitterbug" dance at many family functions. For many years, they had an RV and spent several summers in Wells Maine. She loved everyone and made sure her family had everything they needed. Their home was always busy with friends and family, especially during the holidays. Grace had a personal connection with everyone she knew and was the ultimate caregiver and provider. She was a former member and active volunteer of Our Lady of Mt Carmel Church and St Margaret Mary Church.

Her work ethic was strong, both at home and the workplace. Grace was employed for many years by Small Business Insurance Agency and other local companies including at Allmerica Financial, Hanover Insurance as senior assistant to the President and CEO before retiring.

Friends and relatives are invited to gather for calling hours Friday, January 23rd from 4 pm to 7pm in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester. Her funeral will be held Saturday, Jan 24th from the funeral home with a procession to Our Lady of Loreto Church, 37 Massasoit Rd, where her celebration of Christian burial Mass will be held at 10:00 AM. Burial alongside Butch will follow at Notre Dame Cemetery, In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to The Alzheimer's Association, 320 Nevada Street, #201 Newton, MA 02460