Louise Frances Massa

Louise “Dolly” Massa , age 92, passed away September 17, 2026. Beloved daughter of the late Charles and Tecala "Dilly" (nee Musmeci) Gagliardi.

Dolly is survived by her husband, Anthony J. Massa; Children, Anthony Massa (Joyce), and Maria Longmore; and grandchildren, Nicholas, Christa, Anthony, Juliette, and Sophia.

Dolly dedicated herself to the care of her mother, husband, children and grandchildren. She proudly characterized herself as a tough South Philadelphia girl that lived her life with the values passed down from her Catholic education. With this foundation she raised her children to love, care and be kind to all those that passed their way.

Dolly’s sense of humor was second to none and her love of the various forms of music throughout her life, like opera, jazz, swing, Doo-Wop and Rock & Roll kept her instep with the young at heart for most of her life. The children in her neighborhood knew where the music of Motown and the British invaders was coming from, when it was heard on the streets... “Mrs Massa’s”. Beside music, she loved to cook and bake, especially during the holidays, and apply her various artistic skills to sewing, knitting, painting, ceramics and furniture refinishing. In her later years she volunteered with cleaning her parish church Annunciation.

Our “little force of nature” was at her best when the family may have encountered rough times, where she would pitch-in with whatever was needed to help them work through their challenges.

In her later years, she was devoted to ETWN and Mother Angelica and had made peace with her time here and patiently waited to be reunited with her family members who had preceded her into heaven.

Relatives and friends are invited to Dolly’s viewing on Friday, September 25, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Annunciation BVM Church, 401 Brookline Blvd, Havertown, PA followed by her funeral mass at 11:00 AM. Interment at SS Peter and Paul Cemetery, Springfield, PA.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Louise’s name to the Eagles Autism Foundation at www.philadelphiaeagles.com/eaglesautismfoundation/