Evelyn (Quatrale) Abasciano

Shrewsbury - Evelyn P. (Quatrale) Abasciano gracefully passed on to heaven Saturday, March 14, 2026. Evelyn has reunited with her beloved husband of 57 years, Maurice Abasciano, who died in 2012.

She is survived by her devoted son and only child, Mark Abasciano of Shrewsbury, whom she held close to her heart. Evelyn was blessed with a rich treasure of nieces and nephews including David and John Occhialini and Charles and Dennis Zacek and their extended families. She loved them all dearly. Her two loving sisters, Irene Occhialini and Nicolina Zacek predeceased her.

Evelyn was born and raised in the town of Holden, daughter of the late Domenic and Antoinette (DiMauro) Quatrale. Her life greatly revolved around St Mary’s Church in Jefferson where she participated in many church activities. She creatively taught Christian Doctrine classes for many years, sang in the Junior and Senior Choirs, and became an active participant in the popular Women’s Guild. Additionally, she joined in town activities, including the League of Women’s Voters and got elected as town registrar.

Upon graduating from Holden High School, she attended Quinsigamond Community College and Worcester State College, studying early childhood education. She assisted in teaching children with learning disabilities in the Wachusett Area schools. And, for a time, she worked as an Executive Secretary for Reed Rolled Thread & Die Co. in Holden; and part time for Polaroid and Kodak Corp, demonstrating their very popular new Instant Cameras. (In her retirement, she found joy reading to Kindergartners at Lilliput and volunteering at Audio Journal, a broadcaster of children’s programs for the visually impaired.)

Evelyn met her husband and the love of her life, Maurice (Moe), while dancing at the Lakeside Ballroom in Shrewsbury. And they continued dancing through life together! After residing in Holden for many years, they later relocated to Shrewsbury, Moe’s former home town, and became members of St Mary’s Parish there. Evelyn found new friends in the Daughters of Isabella, the Shrewsbury Women’s Club, Italian American Cultural Center, the Red Hat Society and Friends of the Shrewsbury Senior Center. She was a talented and gifted oil painter from the time she was a teenager, which led to her joining the Art Guild of Shrewsbury and the Northborough Art Guild.

Evelyn enjoyed life to its fullest. She had a wonderful sense of humor and true compassion for others. She especially enjoyed family gatherings with her loved ones at Peter Pond and Dean Park. She and Moe loved all types of music and attended as many concerts as possible. They also cherished traveling together, especially visiting her precious cousins in Italy. And they delighted in entertaining for years, with a touch of fun. Evelyn’s peaceful moments were found walking along the Shores of Cape Cod.

Friends and relatives are invited to gather for calling hours Thursday, March 19, 2026, from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St. Worcester. Her funeral will be held Friday, March 20th from the funeral home with a procession to St Mary’s Church, 640 Main St. Shrewsbury where her Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am. Private burial in St Mary’s Cemetery, Holden will be held at a later date. . Memorial remembrances in her name can be made to St. Mary’s Church, 20 Summer St, Shrewsbury, MA 01545 or McCauley Nazareth Home for Boys, 77 Mulberry St, Lancaster, MA 01524.

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