Nicolina Emma (Castrucci) Forcucci, of Bridgewater, formerly of Braintree, died peacefully on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at the South Shore Hospital in Weymouth. She was 88.

Nicolina was born in Bugnara, Italy on January 11, 1938, and was the daughter of the late Francesco and Giovanna (Gennaro) Castrucci.

Nicolina came to America at just 15 years old, arriving with a determination that would define the rest of her life. She was, in every sense, a strong and independent woman, the kind who worked hard for everything she had and never wanted to be a burden to anyone.

A skilled seamstress by trade, Nicolina took great pride in her craft. Even after retiring, she couldn't stay away from a needle and thread, and family and friends alike knew they could always count on her for a perfectly done hem. She also worked for many years as the office manager for her husband's business, where her love of numbers and sharp mind for math made her a natural. She had a genuine passion for finance, followed the stock market closely, invested with care, and approached every big purchase with the same careful, thoughtful patience. She was frugal, but never careless. When Nicolina spent money on something, it meant something.

Nicolina's faith was the quiet strength beneath everything she did. She loved Jesus deeply, and her devotion carried her through the hardest moments of her life. She also had a wonderfully curious, intuitive side. She loved her crystals, read her horoscope in the Italian website Oroscopo without fail, and enjoyed tarot cards. She believed firmly in destiny and fate, and that life had a way of unfolding as it was meant to. Later in life she could be found sitting outside with her head towards the sun basking in the glow, or shuffling quickly to the living room to catch her favorite TV show Affari Tuoi!

Family was the absolute center of Nicolina's world. She didn't need a large circle of friends. Her heart was full with her husband, children, and grandchildren, and that was more than enough for her. She showed her love the way she knew best: through food and acts of service. Her gnocchi was legendary among the family, and there was no holiday that went by without her baking up a storm in the kitchen. In the warmer months, she could be found tending her garden, especially her beloved tomato plants, which she grew by the bushel every summer.

Nicolina loved red roses, and while she was quick to tell you exactly how she felt about the color pink (she was not a fan!), her taste in music was much more agreeable. She adored Perry Como, Andrea Bocelli, Engelbert Humperdinck, Billy Joel, and Elton John.

Nicolina will be remembered as a woman of remarkable strength, faith, and love. She was someone who worked tirelessly, gave endlessly, and asked for very little in return. Nicolina will be missed by all the lives she touched.

Nicolina was the beloved wife of the late Mario Forcucci, who died in 2021. She was the devoted mother of Frank Forcucci and his wife Christina of Bridgewater, Joanna Gajewski and her husband Jeremy of Berlin, New Hampshire, and Daniela Forcucci-Wolfe and her husband Joshua of Braintree. Nicolina was the loving grandmother of Christian Osborne of Boston, Brendan Corbett of Bridgewater, Amanda Gajewski of Berlin, New Hampshire, David Osborne of Braintree, and Vincent Forcucci of Bridgewater. She was the cherished aunt of Imelda DiTommaso and her husband Ettore of Bugnara, Italy, and Anna Taglieri and family of Bugnara, Italy. Nicolina is also survived by many loving great grand nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to greet the family during the visiting hours on Monday, August 3, 2026, from 11-1 PM in the McDonald Keohane Funeral Home SOUTH WEYMOUTH at 809 Main Street (Route 18 opposite of South Shore Hospital).

Her funeral service will be celebrated on Monday, August 3, 2026, at 1 PM in McDonald Keohane Funeral Home, South Weymouth.

Services will conclude with interment in Blue Hill Cemetery, Braintree.