SALEM - Carlota Nucci, 90, of Salem, MA died peacefully in the early hours of January 4, 2024. Healthy and independent for most of her 90 years, she always had "so much to do" – even in her last months. She was happiest when her hands were busy: cooking, sewing, tending to her prized houseplants, and crafting gifts for her grandchildren.

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina to Eduardo Freire de Andrade and Ana (Poggi), she married Andrew Nucci, and in 1961 the young couple established themselves in Rochester, NY.

She endured the long winters by getting busy. She was always making, painting, fixing, refinishing, or otherwise improving something. Clothes were sewn. Halloween costumes were engineered. Meals prepared. Plants and pets and children nurtured. When a neighbor discarded a Victorian armchair, Carlota recognized its potential and took a course in upholstery. Dressers were painted. A piano was stripped of its lacquer. When fashions changed, she would reupholster that armchair a second time.

When her children were grown, she worked outside the home for a time, as a school resource liaison in Frederick County (MD), helping immigrant families navigate the public school system. It was work she was proud of.

In her later years, on a memorable winter afternoon, she gathered her adult children, their partners and friends, and taught them how to make perfectly dimpled gnocchi. She never lacked for ideas and projects.

Carlota was predeceased by her husband (Andrew) of 61 years. She is survived by her daughter Cora (Robert) of Salem; son Gabriel (Maria) of Asheville, NC; daughter Cecilia Toomajian (Matt) and grandchildren Bruno and Marcela of New York, NY.

ARRANGEMENTS: At the request of the family all services are private. Assisting the family with the arrangements is O'Donnell Cremations - Funerals - Celebrations, 84 Washington Sq., (at Salem Common) Salem .