Pamela Salluce Viano

Pamela Salluce Viano, 71, passed away on Monday, November 8th, 2021, after a sudden illness. She was born in Clinton, the daughter of Victor J. and Imogene “Jean” (Boynton) Salluce who predeceased her. She lived in Sterling her entire life being the 6th generation to hold the name.

She leaves her beloved husband of 52 years, William “Billy” Viano, whom she continued to try to keep laughing. Pamela leaves her children who she loved and taught values and foundations of life too. She leaves her sons, Jamie and his wife, Sandy Viano of Southbridge, Michael and his wife, Amanda Viano of Sterling who recently relocated from California, Matthew and his wife, Nydia Viano of Rutland; her daughters, Meridith Viano of Paxton, and her baby Laura and husband, Jason Frongillo of Sterling.

Pam thought the world of her children and prepared her grandchildren to know that she would remain in their hearts and be with them as they grew to follow her wisdom and life lessons as adults. She leaves her grandchildren, Azhur, Ainsley, Nico, Dimitri, Lulu, Anthony, Nicholas, Matteo, Luca, Gianna, Dominik and Marcus. She also leaves great-grandchildren, Beau and Omari. Pam was predeceased by her loving bond to Karen Corkum who she cared for and loved as her grandchild. She leaves one brother, Victor “Joe” J. Salluce Jr. of Sterling who she was older than and loved dearly. Her memories of their travels to NH and Vermont held her in comfort. She always said old friends were hard to come by and how fortunate she was to have several: Gerry Magaw of Maine, Cindy Merritt of Sterling and her cousin, Leslie-Ann White of Randolph, Vermont. Her childhood friend, Karen Perkins of Sterling predeceased her, who she always remembered and held close to her heart.

Pam graduated from Wachusett Regional High School in 1967 and quickly went to work at Paul Revere insurance until she decided to do her calling of taking care of her children and many others. She would create a circle of love to many that entered her home for a hello or a quick meal. She was known to always have a chair for anyone that needed a place for a holiday or a cup of coffee. Pam loved many things that she instilled very quick in her children, grandchildren in her many loves: York Beach Maine was a vacation spot that she loved and quickly taught her children to love the ocean, cooking of the “gravy”, gardening like her dad, card games taught to her from her grandparents and taught down to each generation, she was an avid Red Sox fan, loved Andrea Boccelli, anything Italian was a quick lesson to be taught from the language to the love of culture, she made sure her children valued their great/grandparents by seeing them every day. She was known as “Nonni” and loved everything related to family and friends that her children considered family- her heart and soul was enormous. She lived close and took time in her life for her many aunts, uncles, parents and grandparents. Nonni loved a good sale and would run after to make sure she had the “best” for her family bragging of what she had, loved yard sales. She told stories of her childhood often and would make jokes to make her grandchildren laugh. Her grandchildren always knew that Nonni would have a superstition to watch out for or an inappropriate joke that one would turn someone red after hearing. Nonni lite up with her grandchildren and her favorite thing was a house full of loud times, laughs, chaos and good food. She often talked and reminded us that you never judge anyone else because you have not walked in their shoes. A year ago she crocheted Afghans for each of her kids, grandchildren and great-grandchildren so that they had a piece of her. Over 100 Afghans were crochet over the years given to people that needed a “little” love to wrap around them and made many for veterans over the years. Nonni would make sure that Pup knew that her children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren could all move home if they wanted or needed. Nonni best gift will always be her family.

Most of all Pam loved the holidays from the fourth of July seafood cookouts, Halloween to scare the kids, to thanksgiving with the biggest turkeys, and Christmas Eve which continued to be all done out with all homemade pastas of Agnolotti and feast of the seven fish. Every year was a new highlight with all of Nonni decorations and multiple Christmas trees. She loved poinsettia’s and would have the house all decked out. Nonni had each grandchild pick a special cookie and she would begin her plans in October to be sure that she had the many cookies ready for celebration. Nonni had many lists most of what were going to be the plans of the time. Nonni had early calls with her children and continued to talk to them daily even learning facetime to follow the newest of little ones. Nonni made several spreads of Italian cookies for fundraisers, weddings, and birthdays to make sure that everyone had a taste of her love.

The family of Pam would like to say a special thank you to RN Theresa and Dr. Khalid who worked closely with her family to make her the most comfortable at home with her medical needs. Pam would talk about them and joke about how “Theresa” knew best. She loved that Dr. Khalid was caring and loved to hear about her family. Her little ones would learn that she was ill and were willing to owe a hand to help her. They would remind her how much they cared being the “mini” nurses to her care.

Nonni will be missed and celebrated over the years as her legacy, wisdom, listening and most of all love was felt. Our hearts are as broken as they are filled with gratitude. Our lives have been changed as we say goodbye and that we love you always. As she said “life goes by like a blink of an eye” to cherish your moments of today.

A graveside service for Pamela will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, November 20th at Hillside Cemetery, Clinton Road, Sterling. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Pamela’s honor may be made to Sterling Ambulance Fund, P.O. Box 515, Sterling, MA 01564 or to the Veterans at Hiram O. Taylor American Legion Post 189, 32 School Street, Sterling MA 01564. Arrangements are under the care of the Miles-Sterling Funeral and Tribute Center, 100 Worcester Road, Sterling. To share a memory or offer an online condolence, please visit our Tribute Wall on this page.