RUMFORD – Maria Teresa Papasadora Salatino, 97, died surrounded by her loving family at her home in Smithcrossing, Rumford, on Saturday, Oct. 6.

She was born in Calabria, Italy, on Nov. 3, 1909, a daughter of Frank and Marie (DeFillippo) Papasadora. She came to America at the age of 4 and had attended local schools.

She was married in Rumford on May 10, 1924, to Vito Salatino, and together they had 11 children.

The matriarch of a sprawling family, she rarely missed a birth, wedding, graduation, bridal or baby shower, or any other major event in the lives of her children or grandchildren.

A devout Catholic, she was active in her church for many years. She was a past president of the Italian Lodge Goriziettes of the Sons of Italy, also past president of Rumford Falls Aerie No. 1248, FOE Auxiliary and the Mothers Club in Smithcrossing for 50 years.

Teresa was a woman of true unconditional love, grace, courage, strength and beauty. She was always giving to charities, no matter how small her budget. She also was known as “Nani” to all her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She will be remembered for her love of her family and will be missed by all who knew her.

Teresa is survived by her three daughters, Julia and JoAnne Salatino of Rumford, and Lucy Day and husband, Richard, of Rumford; sons, Vito Salatino and wife, Mary, of Naples, Fla., Rocco Salatino and wife, Julietta, of Rumford, James Salatino and wife, Betty, of Dixfield, and Joseph Salatino of Lewiston; son-in-law, Richard Austin of Rumford; daughter-in-law, Betty Salatino of Rumford; 20 grandchildren; many great- and great-great-grandchildren; sister, Jennie and husband, George Virgin, of Dixfield; brothers, Ralph Papasadora and wife, Betty, of Rumford, Paul Papasadora and wife, Edith, of Cape Cod, Mass., and Vito Papasadora and wife of Alaska.

She was predeceased by her husband, Vito; son, Frank; and three daughters, Pauline Salatino, Annette Austin and Mary Gaudet; sisters, Laura, Mary and Annie; brothers, Dominic, Frank, Sam and Joseph Papasadora.

The family would like to express special thanks to Tammy Bean of Androscoggin Home and Hospice for all the care and support given to Teresa (Nani) and the family; and also to Donna Burgess of Care & Comfort, and Sylvia and Tara of Tender Touch.