Grace J. Marciano

TOPSFIELD – Grace J. Marciano, 99 of Topsfield, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 7th, 2026 at Ledgewood Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing in Beverly.

Born in Topsfield on July 3, 1927, Grace was the daughter of the late Carmine and Teresa (Coppola) Marciano. She was raised and educated in Topsfield, graduating from Topsfield School in 1945, where she served as her class Vice President.

A pioneer for her time, Grace started her working career with New England Telephone Company. She first started as a telephone operator in Topsfield, then as a customer service representative in Beverly, she matriculated to an instructor for 17 years, and then a subject matter expert on staff in Boston. Because of her extensive interdepartmental knowledge and experience, she was on call for the entire company, answering questions, doing necessary research when required to help with problem solving. While as an instructor, she traveled to the various offices in the company making many new lasting friends and acquaintances. She dedicated over 40 years to the telephone company until her retirement in 1985. Grace stayed involved in her working community as she was a member of the Telephone Pioneers an organization devoted primarily to volunteerism in many phases.

In retirement, Grace loved traveling, often visiting St. Thomas yearly with friends, enjoying the beaches, and the islands many activities including the Caribbean Chorale Christmas and Spring concerts. She belonged to the Great Books traveling club, traveling and discussing literature for over 60 years. In her youth, she was passionate about skiing visiting the many mountains of New Hampshire and Maine and did so well into her 80’s. She was a Girl Scout and a leader, and found great joy throughout her life visiting the Pocono Mountains and Boothbay Harbor, ME. She was quite the conversationalist, actively engaging in conversation about current events and history. She was extremely generous helping anyone she could. She involved herself in numerous organizations, including the Topsfield Historical Society, the Strawberry Festival Kitchen Committee, the Topsfield Housing Authority where she served as commissioner and was the chairman of the board for many years and volunteered for the Box-Top Community thrift shop and enjoyed giving back to the hungry and less fortunate in any way she could.

Music was her great love and throughout her life she played the piano, a skill she taught herself at a very young age. Her talent was a gift she shared with many though local churches, playing at weddings, masses, funeral and celebrations. Above all else, Grace loved her family. She was happiest when surrounded by the love of her nieces, nephews and their families, weekly visits and lunches and knowing that her large family traditions and legacies live on in each of them.

Grace is survived by her devoted caretaker; grand-nephew, Gregory Iovanella and his wife, Kristen of South Hamilton, and their children, Dominic, Carmelo and Gabriella Iovanella. Her loving nieces and nephews, Richard Marciano and his wife, Diane of AZ, Paul Marciano and his wife, Jean of Danvers, Theresa Hilton and her husband, John “Jack” of Beverly and Hawaii, John Iovanella and his wife, Kimberly of North Andover, Isabel Winslow of Beverly, Carmen Winslow of NH and Nicholas Jacobellis of FL; dear friends, Sean Fenton of Kennebunc, ME and Marilyn Washington of Wilbraham, grand-niece, Angela Kasumova and her husband, Elshad and their children, Alexander and Emil of Andover; and many loving and devoted grand-nieces, nephews and extended nieces and nephews into the next generation who meant so much to Grace.

Grace was predeceased by her siblings, Euplio Marciano, Olympia LoConte, Angelo Marciano, Mary Iovanella, Savino Marciano, Yolanda Marciano and devoted caretaker and niece, Teresa Iovanella and many other loving, niece, nephews and extend family members and friends.

ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to attend Grace’s funeral Mass which will be held at St. Rose of Lima Church, 12 Park St., Topsfield on Friday, September 18th at 11:30 A.M. (Please meet directly at church). Her burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery, Topsfield. Visiting hours will be held at O’Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 167 Maple St., (Rte. 62) DANVERS on Thursday, September 17th from 4 to 7 P.M. In lieu of flowers, donations in Grace’s memory may be made to the March of Dimes, P.O. Box 5141, Boone, IA 50950. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com.