Obituary of Dawn Stanton Massini

Mrs. Dawn Stanton Massini died at her home in Sheffield surrounded by her three children following a brief battle with cancer.

Dawn was born on February 21, 1931 in the Stanton Family home in Mill River, MA. Daughter of Homer and Thelma Stanton, she was very close with her parents and spent many hours helping on the family farm.  She graduated at the top of her class at New Marlborough High School.  She was offered a full scholarship to Boston University but chose to attend Bay Path Junior College so she could be closer to home.

She married her husband, Henry J. Massini, on May 10, 1952 and moved to Huntsville, Alabama where he was stationed in the army.  She was given top clearance to work as executive secretary for Colonel Charles Barrett at Redstone Arsenal in the Ordinance Missile Labs with Wernher Von Braun.

In 1955 they moved to Sheffield and purchased the former Cassidy block where they lived and operated Henry’s Market.  Dawn was a talented business woman, she operated her own Real Estate business, Pillar Realty, before starting Massini Bus Co. with her husband.  They purchased their home on Ashley Falls Road in 1963 where they raised their family and expanded the business that went from two buses to fifty.  Employees were treated like family and many became close friends.

Dawn and Henry traveled often.  They went to Europe, Caribbean Islands and traveled all 50 US States. Her favorite cruise was on the Rhine River in Europe.  She loved to travel and opened Sheffield Tours in 1984.  She catered to all of her customers many of which would not have traveled on their own.

Dawn was a communicant of Our Lady of The Valley Church.  She was a charter member of the Sheffield Garden Club, a member of the American Legion and The DAR.  She was compassionate, caring and generous.  She helped many in our community throughout her life.  Christmas was her favorite time of year.  She would start shopping in January and by December have bags of toys and clothing for those in need.

She answered to many names over her lifetime, Dawn Stanton, Dawn Massini, Mom but her favorite was Grammy.  Over the years many called her Grammy Dawn.

She is survived by her children, Gregg S Massini and wife Jean, Mark H Massini, Marie Massini-Reynolds and husband Tom.  Grandsons Christopher Massini, Lanny Broderick and wife JoAnne.  Great Grandchildren Spencer and Mariah Broderick.  Sisters Violet Sakellarios and Cynthia Haven.  Best Friend and Sister-in-law Sally Curtiss.

It is with deepest regret that the funeral services for Dawn Stanton Massini are private out of concern for the health and safety of her friends and family due to the threat of Covid 19.  A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date when it is safe for friends and family to gather. In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy in Dawn’s memory may be made to the Hearts of the Father in care of the BIRCHES-ROY FUNERAL HOME 33 South Street Great Barrington MA 01230. Condolences may be made through birchesroyfuneralservices.com.