Angela (Cerra) Parsons

Angela Parsons loved hosting family and friends at her home, either in Newton or on the Cape in South Yarmouth. She was the consummate entertainer and made their homes a place where everyone would gather for simple dinners, fantastic parties, and holidays. She was a phenomenal cook.

Her family knew that she would always have complete control over things because she poured her heart and soul into making wonderful memories.

Angela Cerra was born January 9, 1963 in Calabria, Italy a daughter of Angelo and Rosa (Arcuri) Cerra. She immigrated to the United States as a young girl where her family settled in Newton. Angela was a graduate of Newton North High School with the class of 1981. She married Michael J. Parsons on April 6, 1986, in her native parish, Our Lady Help of Christians. After beginning her family with Mike, she returned to school and earned her Bachelor's degree from Bentley University.

Angela was thrilled to be a wife and mother. She also enjoyed an invaluable reputation as colleague, mentor, and friend — for 23 years — at Cambridge Innovation Institute in Needham, where she was proudly the vice president of business development.

She and Mike travelled as often as schedules would allow. They went to numerous places but amongst her favorite was time exploring the magnificent wineries and landscapes of Napa Valley, California. She loved their home on Cape Cod and beach trips to any one of the national seashores.

Angela died unexpectedly on Friday, August 5, 2022 at the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston after being stricken ill at her home in South Yarmouth. She was 59.

In addition to her husband of 36 years, Mike, she leaves their children, Ashley A. Parsons of Watertown and Jeffrey M. Parsons of Newton; her parents, Angelo and Rosa Cerra of Newton; her brothers, Salvatore Cerra (Deborah) of Needham and Roberto J. Cerra (Melissa) of Medfield; in-laws, Roy Parsons (late Gwen) of Shrewsbury, Mark Parsons (Jennifer) of Needham, Tracey Parsons Simonelli (Mark) of Brookfield, and Jayne Parsons Colino (Dan) of Needham; also survived by aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Family and friends will honor and remember Angela's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20) on Thursday, August 11th from 4 to 8 p.m. and again at 9:30 a.m. on Friday before leaving in procession to Our Lady Help of Christians Church, 573 Washington Street, Newton where her funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow in Newton Cemetery, Newton.

Those wishing to view the broadcast (and recording) of Angela's funeral Mass please visit: https://my.gather.app/remember/angela-parsons

Memorials in her name may be made to Brain Aneurysm Foundation, 269 Hanover Street, Hanover, MA 02339 (www.bafound.org) or St. Jude's Children's Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (www.stjude.org).