Thelma D. Massé

Thelma D. (Bonoli) Massé, age 96, passed away on Monday, November 3, 2025, at her home in Walpole, MA, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Boston, MA on December 8, 1928, she was the daughter of the late Giovanni and Esther (Ferretti) Bonoli. Thelma was raised in the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston and attended Roxbury Memorial High School for Girls, graduating with the class of 1946.

Upon graduation, Thelma began working for L.E. Mural Co. as a bookkeeper. When she wasn’t working, she was traveling. Thelma loved to vacation with her friends on Cape Cod during her summers. She also travelled with them to Bermuda several times as well as Cuba. She had been saving up for a trip to Europe when she was set up on a blind date that would change her life. On June 7, 1958, one year after meeting, Thelma married her husband of 57 years, Daniel J. Massé, at St. Patrick’s Church in Roxbury, MA. Together they travelled to Europe on a month long honeymoon, spending extra time in Daniel’s native France to meet his family.

Thelma and Daniel lived in the Brighton neighborhood of Boston before building a home in the nearby suburb of East Walpole, MA. They were members of St. Mary’s Church, becoming regular parishioners and finding a wonderful community of friends. Thelma remained in East Walpole, making a home and raising her family, until 2013, when she and Daniel moved to New Pond Village in Walpole.

Throughout her life, Thelma was a vibrant and sociable woman, making friends everywhere she went. She remained close with friends from childhood, including some from when they were toddlers - and when she travelled, she always managed to meet new people. When she moved to Walpole, Thelma developed lifelong friendships with people from her neighborhood and church.

Opera was a lifelong passion for Thelma, especially Italian operas. Each year, she would travel to New York City with Daniel and their neighbors to see an opera live at the MET. This was something she looked forward to every year.

After Daniel retired, they continued their European adventures, sometimes as a couple and sometimes with their daughters, visiting family in France and Italy and exploring other countries. Thelma liked to visit Chatham on the Cape as well as enjoy their timeshare in Jamestown, RI. At home, Thelma enjoyed cooking, especially Italian dishes, and took pleasure in entertaining her family and friends. Once she became a grandmother, spending time with her grandchildren became her greatest joy.

Beloved wife of Daniel J. Massé.

Loving mother of Diana Massé of Hopkinton, and Dominique McIsaac and her husband Peter of Arlington.

Cherished grandmother of Ian McIsaac and Grace "Gigi" McIsaac.

Sister of the late Anthony Bonoli and his late wife Eleanor.

Also survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, as well as friends both near and far across the globe.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Thelma's Life Celebration on Saturday, November 8th, 2025, from 9:00 am - 10:30 am in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole.

A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 am in Saint Mary's Church, 176 Washington Street, East Walpole, with interment at Saint Francis Cemetery, Walpole.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Thelma's name may be made to the Pine Street Inn, Attn: Development Office at 444 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02118 or by visiting https://www.pinestreetinn.org/