Esther L Lovotti

Esther Lillian Lovotti, 96, our sweet mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 4, 2024, in Agawam, Massachusetts. Reunited in heaven with her beloved husband, Carlo Lovotti, her parents, Anthony and Carmella Mercadante, and her brother, Gaetano (Uncle Guy) Mercadante, Esther leaves us with happy memories, iconic recipes, and a love of hummingbirds to forever remind us of her.
Esther was born on Easter Sunday, 1927, and grew up on a farm in Feeding Hills, where she gained her top-notch baking, sewing, canning, and gardening skills. Although greatly saddened by the untimely death of her father whom she adored, Esther brought joy to her family through her gentle nature, loving care and gorgeous soft blue eyes.
Esther attended Agawam High School where she met Carlo Lovotti, her lifelong love. Their marriage lasted 67 years. Esther worked for a time in Steiger’s, where, with her model good looks, she was often tasked with trying on fur coats as soon as they arrived. After a wedding reception at the Columbus Club and having survived a honeymoon sunburn at the Connecticut shore, Esther settled into a happy life with Carlo in West Springfield, where they raised two sons, Anthony and Robert. Esther loved her children immensely and was devoted to their care. She always made sure to make their favorite meals, and their starched shirts in high school were legendary. Esther often turned her home into a bakery throughout the year, filling it with everyone’s favorite treats, Thanksgiving pies, and Christmas cookies, as tokens of her love.
Esther enjoyed nights out with Carlo, especially Policeman's Balls and Elks Lodge dances, always requesting “Blue Bayou” and “Spanish Eyes” for their signature dance before the night was through. She took great pride in her flowers, and enjoyed preparing summer picnics and backyard barbecues. Esther was also fondly known as “Ottie” to the many young children she cared for in her home, teaching them numerous life lessons including how to hold a spoon and to love home-made tortellini soup, as we all do.
Esther leaves behind her beloved sons and daughters-in-law, Anthony Lovotti and Patricia Conroy, and Robert and Ann Marie Lovotti; her grandchildren, Gina, James, Nora, and William Lovotti, and their spouses and partners, David Gibson, Marisa Lovotti, William Smithson, and Aditi Kumar; her great-grandchildren, Anthony, Nicholas, and Sebastian; her siblings, John Mercadante and Geraldine Roberts; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and their spouses and children; and her friends and caregivers at Heritage Woods, where she never tired of playing rummikub, winning at bingo, and eating strawberries, but only if they were in season.
Esther’s funeral home service will be Friday January 12, 2024, at 1PM from the Toomey-O’Brien Funeral Home 1043 Westfield St West Springfield with burial to follow in the Mass Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery. Calling hours are Friday 11AM-1PM
Should you wish, flowers are welcome or memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.