WEST SPRINGFIELD: Marion Rose (Bodi) Iovine , 95 ,of West Springfield went to be with her Lord on Saturday, July 25, 2015, at Wingate of West Springfield after a brief illness. She was born on March 12, 1920 a daughter of the late Domenico “Pops” Bodi and Blanche Elizabeth (Miller) Bodi. She was the widow of Mario Iovine, her husband of sixty-one years, who died on April 18, 2001. Marion attended Westfield public schools and was a lifelong resident of Westfield and a lifetime communicant of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church, moving to West Springfield in 2000. She worked at the former White’s Quaint Shop and during World War II worked at the Springfield Armory, where she, like thousands of other women across the country held jobs formerly performed by men who had been called to active duty. She worked in the gun finishing unit, which was the last step in the manufacturing of rifles before the finished goods were sent to the US soldiers in the South Pacific or Europe. She was as proud of her work at the Armory during the war as she was of her Italian heritage and her faith. Marion also worked for the City of Westfield for fifteen years as part of the custodial staff at Westfield High School, where she was affectionately dubbed “Mom” by both the students and faculty, She retired in 1985. She worked part-time after retirement for the former Performance, Inc. Professional Cleaning Service and was assigned to the Westfield Police Station and the S.I.S Bank (now TD North) in Westfield. Marion enjoyed leisurely rides especially to Vermont and the Berkshires, always on the lookout for unusual rocks to add to her rock gardens, She collected 33, 45 ,and 78 rpm vinyl records from the late fifties to the mid eighties. Her favorites were the big band sounds, Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Johnny and June Carter Cash, and Neil Diamond. She loved animals, especially dogs. She surely will be missed by Rocco Noodle, her constant companion, cuddle buddy, and fierce protector. She loved flowers, especially the purple , almost black bearded iris, and roses. Her signature color was anything purple. She had a unique sense of humor and like the late great Will Rogers,” never met a person she didn’t like”. She was a loving daughter, wife, and mother, who shared her compassion with those around her. Her personality could lift up a room. Marion is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth “Betty” Iovine , PhD of West Springfield, with whom she made her home, two cousins, Geraldine Bodi, and Emma Bodi, both of Melrose. She also leaves a very special caregiver, Monique Chick of Chicopee and her husband Kenneth Sr., daughters, Amber Ferrasi of Springfield, Ashley Ferrasi and her fiancé Jonathan Nieves and son Jayden Ramirez of Springfield, sons Kenneth Jr., of Virginia, Tyler and fiancée Samantha and daughter Neveah and son Seth of Chicopee, and Nicole and fiancé Kevin Givens of Springfield and canine companions, Caesar, Scrappy, Olivia, Gigi and Dutchess .In addition to her parents and husband, Marion was predeceased by brothers , and sisters-in-law, Fred and Alice Iovine, and Emilio and Rose Marie Iovine, all of Pennsylvania, and a sister, Rita Elizabeth Bodi who died in infancy. Marion was a lifelong member of the Italian Fraternal Society of New Britain, CT. Her funeral will be held on Wednesday at 10am from the Firtion-Adams Funeral Service,76 Broad St., Westfield followed at 11am by a Liturgy of Christian Burial in St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 47 Pine St., West Springfield. Burial will follow in the Bodi-Iovine family plot at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Westfield. Following the service a reception will be held for family and friends at Dr. Iovine’s home in West Springfield. Calling hours will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday from 5pm until 8pm.Charitable donations may be made in memory of Marion to St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 47 Pine St., West Springfield,MA., 01089, the Whispering Horse Therapeutic Riding Center, 253 Hampden Rd., Attn: Pat Bean, East Longmeadow, MA,01028 or Dakin Humane Societ, 171 Union St, Springfield, MA,01105. No! Moose do not wear shoes! Requiescat in pace, Mater. firtionadams.com
