Mary (Carelis) Battiato, 95, Owned Curly Top Beauty Salon

Mary_BattiatoMary (Carelis) Battiato, 95, of Bradford, died peacefully Monday, Aug. 29.

Battiato was born in Haverhill, March 4, 1921, daughter of the late Socrates and Sophia (Karadimopoulos) Carelis. Affectionately referred to by many as Nan, she was an exuberant woman who provided her family with many years of love and entertainment. She grew up on North Street in Haverhill, worked as a hairdresser and later owned and operated “Curly Top Beauty Salon,” Andover. Battiato met and married her late husband, Fred Battiato at the age of 18.They enjoyed 64 years together before his passing in 2003.

She traveled with her husband throughout Europe and made frequent trips to New York City and Chicago for business as well as pleasure. After retirement they spent winters at Highland Beach, Fla. There they enjoyed the beach, race tracks, golf courses and many of their favorite restaurants. Battiato was a cook, specializing in Greek cuisine and comfort foods. Spanakopita, baklava, roast leg of lamb, homemade mac and cheese and her famous chocolate cake, were requested most often. On any given day you could find Nan at her longtime home in Bradford dancing and singing to Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack, dressed in her high heels, pearls and cashmere sweaters. If she wasn’t home you could be sure that she was being taxied about by Fred or one of her daughters, for lunch and a long day of shopping.

She was predeceased by her husband, Fred Battiato; sister Catherine Karampatsos, who passed earlier this year; and brother, Nicholas Carelis who died at the young age of 25. She will be missed by her children Cheryl Little and her husband Greg of Haverhill, Jane Battiato and William Hassell of Amesbury, Susan Boland and her husband Joseph of Bradford; grandchildren; Christian and Ann-Britt Angle, Peter and Mia Angle, Joseph Jr., Caroline and Lindsey Boland; great grandchildren Sophia, Vivienne, Julian, Brody and Cameron Angle; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be private and at the convenience of the family with burial in Elmwood Cemetery, Bradford. Arrangements are by H.L. Farmer & Sons Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Haverhill and Bradford. Contributions in her memory Contributions in her memory may be made to the Dana Farber – Jimmy Fund 10 Brookline Pl., Boston, MA 02445.