Emma Louise Gatti, 97, lifelong resident of Peabody, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at Beverly Hospital surrounded by her loving family. She was the beloved wife of the late Alessandro C. “Spats” Gatti with whom she spent 68 years of marriage with until his passing in 2015.

She was born in Peabody on March 15, 1926 and was the cherished daughter of the late Antonio and Rina (Rossi) Ciman.

Emma graduated from Peabody High School class of 1943. During the war years she was employed as a secretary and Al was deployed overseas. Once he returned, they were married in 1947 and began a wonderful life together raising their family. Emma was a full-time stay at home mom, a “career” she thoroughly enjoyed. When her youngest son was twelve, Emma went back to work as a teacher’s aide at the Brown School for 9 years. Following that she spent 11 years as the secretary for St. John’s Parish.

Al and Emma were very active at St. John’s Church, serving on many social and religious committees. They served as Eucharistic Ministers for 10 years, helped with confirmation classes and were instructors for engaged couples in the marriage prep program.

Emma had many close friends and dear relatives. She enjoyed attending dances with “Spats” and socializing with everyone at the Italian Club. Emma and Spats enjoyed vacationing in NH, touring throughout the US and cruising to many world-wide destinations.

One special vacation was a trip to Italy meeting relatives on both sides of the family. Being fluent in Italian, Emma continued corresponding and hosted many of them when they traveled to the US.

Emma was devoted to her family. She loved spending time with her Children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved teaching them about gardening, passing on family stories and traditions and cooking all those delicious Italian specialties.

Emma’s love and devotion to her faith, family and friends guided her life. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by everyone who knew her.

Emma was the devoted mother of four children, Sandra Manning and her husband Paul, John Gatti and his wife Cindy, Mark Gatti and his wife Joanne Leary, and Richard Gatti and his wife Patti. She was the cherished grandmother of Katherine Cameron and her husband Scott, Laura Mayer and her husband Bob, Alexandra DiGrado and her husband Paul, Sarah Gatti, Elizabeth Gatti, Anthony Gatti, Thomas Gatti and his wife Kaitlin, and Paul Gatti and his wife Kathryn. She was the proud great-grandmother of ten, Hannah and Zachary Cameron, Marilyn and Alexander Mayer, Tess and Mark DiGrado, Emma Jean, Wyatt, Sawyer and Gunner Gatti. She also leaves behind her sister-in-law, Julie Ciman and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and her two special godchildren Mark Palmachuk and Diane (Regis) McMahon.

Sadly, in addition to her parents and husband, Emma was predeceased by her two siblings, Ida Ciman and Albert Ciman; sister-in-law, Joanne (Gatti) Palmachuk and her husband Peter; and daughter-in-law Theresa Gatti.

A special thank you for the compassionate care Emma received to all the workers at the Kaplan Legacy II in Peabody, Ledgewood Rehab and Beverly Hospital nurses on Johnson 5 and the hospice staff.

Visiting hours will be held at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St. Peabody, MA on Monday, October 2, 2023 from 9AM to 10:30AM followed by her Funeral Mass at St. John the Baptist Church in Peabody at 11AM. Interment will be at St. Mary Cemetery in Salem, MA.