Folsom Funeral Service

Elsie (Sciarpelletti) Bothwick, a resident of Westwood since 1951, passed away peacefully on Thursday February 16th, surrounded by all her children in the home her husband Edwin had built for her 65 years earlier.

Born in Boston in 1925, she grew up in Dedham, the proud daughter of Italian immigrants. Although Elsie was a highly successful student and accomplished athlete, work in the family bakery took precedence over after-school activities. Upon high school graduation, she went to work as a storeroom clerk at Tobey Duechman’s manufacturing plant in Canton, MA, making missile parts for the war effort. All the Sciarpelletti children contributed to our country’s safety: older sister Mary also worked at Tobey’s; oldest brother Americo (navy) gave his life serving his country in WWII; brothers Ernest (army) and Joseph (marines) served in the Korean war.

In 1946, Elsie married Edwin Bothwick, who was a young soldier at the time. She left Tobey’s to raise her five children. For more than 50 years she was extremely active in the Islington Community Church, serving on the diaconate, teaching Sunday School, participating in Fellowship Circles, and was even a bell ringer for a time. She also assisted with girl scout and boy scout troops throughout the years. When her children were old enough, she went back to work at her brother Ernie’s Bubbling Brook Restaurant in Westwood, where she worked for over 15 years. Although Elsie wore many hats at the restaurant, she was best known for her homemade pies. People would come from miles around to enjoy them, and the more she baked, the faster they disappeared.

Elsie also loved playing cards with friends and was an avid square dancer and reader. Her true calling though, was helping others. An amazing and busy mom and grandmother, she still found time to come to the aid of any family member, friend, or even a stranger who needed help. She always looked on the bright side of things, never spoke unkindly of anyone or anything, and was genuinely grateful in her heart for the blessings in her life.

She was the devoted wife of the late Edwin and proud mother of Dana of Westwood; Lisa Wilson, Jay and his wife Kathy, of Manchester; Glenn of Foxboro; and Belinda of Fayette, Maine. Loving grandmother of Justine, Jordan, James, Nicola, Dylan, and Hattie. Caring sister of Ernest Sciarpelletti of Georgia;  the late Americo and Joseph Sciarpelletti; and the late Mary Frazier.  Visiting hours Friday, Feb 24 from 5-7 pm at the Folsom Funeral Home, 649 High Street in Westwood. Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Memorial Service on Sat, Feb 25 at 11 am at the First Baptist Church, 808 High Street in Westwood. Interment will be private.  In lieu of flowers, donations to Heiffer International, PO Box 8058, Little Rock, AR, 72203 or to the Salvation Army, PO Box 55876, Boston, MA 02205 would be appreciated.

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