Olivia Patricia ?Dimples? Maceo Messina
How do you know Olivia Patricia ?Dimples? Maceo? Please share your stories and photos, and help spread the word about this page!
Olivia Patricia "Dimples" Maceo Messina, 95, of Beaumont, died on Sunday, July 4, 2021. She was blessed to have lived a long, full, and healthy life surrounded by a loving family and friends. Dimples was born in Beaumont, Texas, on January 26, 1926. She was the third daughter born to Rosario Charles Maceo and Josephine Fertitta Maceo, Sicilian immigrants. A chubby-cheeked dark-haired baby, Olivia, was often called "Dolly" by her mother and sometimes "Dolly Dimples" by other relatives. Soon Baby Olivia was known as "Dimples" by all. Dimples graduated from St. Anthony Catholic High School in 1943. After high school, Dimples went to work at Worth's Boutique Shop as a saleswoman and buyer. She enjoyed the fashion retail business and remained at Worth's for the next five years. Even in her 90's, Dimples remained well dressed and interested in fashion. She often complained that "They just don't make clothes for women in their 90's."
On her twenty-first birthday, January 26, 1947, Dimples married Frank Lawrence Messina at St. Joseph's Church. Frank was a World War II Army veteran from Port Arthur. Frank and Dimples raised six sons in Beaumont, Frank Gerard Messina, Joseph Rosario "Bub" Messina, Jude Thaddeus Messina, Vincent Maceo Messina, Thomas Lawrence Messina, and James Michael Messina. The family became parishioners of St. Anne Catholic Church and all six sons attended St. Anne's School and then Monsignor Kelly Catholic High School. While her husband, Frank, worked at Texas Coffee Company, Dimples had the never-ending job of caring for six boys. She could be found at the grocery store every single day as several boxes of cereal were often consumed at one breakfast. A son's request for french fries for dinner required peeling ten pounds of potatoes and then frying them. During this time, she was jokingly given the title of "Mother Superior" by her brother-in-law who admired her skill at delegating tasks, her determination in enforcing family rules, and her unwavering energy managing her large family.
During this time Dimples found time to help her St. Anne's Church family at carnivals, parish days, field trips, and spaghetti suppers. She was a volunteer at St. Anne's cafeteria for fifteen years after her youngest child graduated from St. Anne's School. She became a familiar face and friend to hundreds of children
On January 11, 2003, Frank Lawrence Messina passed, and Dimples lost her husband and best friend of fifty-two years. Instead of six rambunctious young boys, her home now is now filled with six adult sons and their wives, fifteen grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren. Every Sunday evening until just recently, Dimples would invite her family for a weekly Sunday supper which often included meatball po-boys, riceballs, Italian sausage, pasta salad, green bean salad, banana pudding, and a jelly-roll (her specialty).
Dimples spent mornings in the kitchen, where a majority of her casserole dishes had address labels, a testament to the many meals she sent to the ill, the grieving, or just busy family members. Afternoons were spent in prayer and meditation. She also made time to send cards, notes, and make telephone calls to a wide network of family and friends, never forgetting a birthday or anniversary. Dimples attended mass at St. Anne's Church every morning at 6:30 a.m. until she stopped driving and served as a volunteer for eleven years at the Adoration Chapel. Her compassion for others and her faith in the power of prayer were evident to the many family members and friends who asked her to pray for them. She truly walked with God on a daily basis.
She is survived by her 6 sons, Frank G. Messina and his wife, Molly; Joseph R. "Bub" Messina and his wife Mary Beth; Jude T. Messina and his wife Ina; Vincent M. Messina and his wife Veronica; Thomas L. Messina and his wife Laurie; James Michael Messina and his wife Sue; fifteen grandchildren, Anne Murray and her husband, Sean, Frank T. Messina, Brent Messina and his wife Kathryn; Greg Messina and his wife Ashley; Mark Messina, Lindi Messina, Abbi Frazier and her husband Alan, Jude Messina Jr. and his wife Kristen, Vincent Messina Jr., Madelyn Messina, Matthew Messina, Daniel Messina, Andrew Messina, Sara Messina, and Christopher Messina; ten great grandchildren; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and Godchildren.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Frank L. Messina; her parents, Rosario and Josephine Maceo; sisters, Concetta Tortorice, Sylvina "Luce" Parigi, and Theresa Giglio.
Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Anne Church, P.O. Box 3429, Beaumont, Texas 77704; St. Anne Catholic School, 375 North 11th Street, Beaumont, Texas 77702; or St. Joseph Church, 1115 Orange Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701.
A gathering of Mrs. Messina's family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with a Rosary recited at 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 6, 2021, at Broussard's, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 7, 2021, at St. Anne Catholic Church, 2715 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, with a reception to follow in the Parish Hall. A private entombment will be at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
Please observe social distancing guidelines
Complete and updated information may be found at: broussards1889.com