Jean T Sabatalo

Jean T. (Falco) Sabatalo, 95, a lifelong resident of Worcester, dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, great- grandmother and friend passed away peacefully with loved ones at her side, Wednesday, May 28, 2025, after a brief illness. Jean is reunited in heaven with her husband, retired Worcester Police Sergeant Angelo R. Sabatalo, son, Robert Sabatalo, her parents and seven siblings.

Jean was born in Cos Cob CT, the daughter of Italian immigrants, Michael and Margaret (Riggieri) Falco. She was introduced to her future husband Angelo “Buddy” Sabatalo at a neighborhood dance shortly before he enlisted in the Navy during WW2 After he returned from service, they married in 1949 and settled in the Massasoit Road neighborhood to raise their five children with love , heritage and devotion until Angelo left her side in February 2000 after 50 years of marriage. Jean continued to live in the family home, guiding her family as matriarch.

Jean is survived by her four children, Angelo F. Sabatalo and his wife Cindy of Millbury, Richard J. Sabatalo and his wife Doris, Worcester police Sergeant Michael A. Sabatalo and his wife Connie all of Worcester, Jane M Karantzoulidis and her husband Steve of Paxton; a son-in-law, Dr. Christopher Karalekis of Shrewsbury; seven grandchildren she adored Steven, Nicholas and Maria Jean Karantzoulidis, Michael, Joseph, Angelo and Mario Sabatalo; three great grandchildren, Mia, and Isabella Karantzoulidis, and Angelo Sabatalo; many nieces, nephews and extended family members. In addition to her husband, son and parents, three brothers, Santo “Sam” William “Billy”, and Joseph Falco, and a sister Theresa Troiano all predeceased her.

Her door was always open to family and friends. No one ever left her home without a full stomach. She always put a plate on the table in front of you and a cup of coffee in your hand. She was a wonderful cook and baker. You could smell her delicious dishes walking up her driveway. It was important to her to instill and teach us the Italian customs she and Angelo grew up with. Every Sunday morning the whole family gathered around her kitchen table eating Calabrese fried meatball sandwiches right up until she turned 90 years old; she even won a medal in a meatball cook off held at the ATF Worcester Field office. She and her husband made cuddadel for years, sharing this traditional fried dough with family and friends in the neighborhood. This last Christmas Eve four generations were assembled at her kitchen counter preparing traditional fish dishes, all the while working in perfect harmony: the youngest being her three-year-old great granddaughter. No matter how old members of the family got, Santa Claus always made an appearance at her home. She never once missed having her big growing family there together. Throughout the years there were many, as she would like to say, “happy memory days”.

Jean and her husband Angelo were founding members of Our Lady of Loreto Church. She was active in the Women’s guild; she along with her daughter and granddaughter Maria Jean were members of the Beato Angelo d’Acri women’s club and she was a member of the Worcester Police Wives Association.

We would like to thank the staff at Fresenius dialysis, Saint Francis rehabilitation facility, as well as the staff at St. Vincent Hospital for their loving care.

Relatives and friends are invited to gather for calling hours, Wednesday, June 4th from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St. Her funeral will be held Thursday, June 5th from the funeral with a procession to Our Lady of Loreto Church, 37 Massasoit Rd, where her Celebration of Christian burial Mass will be held at 11:00 am. Her nephew Reverend Ronald G. Falco will be principal celebrant. Burial will follow in St John Cemetery.