Carmela M. (Barbaro) Arena, age 93, longtime Concord resident, died peacefully in the comfort of her home with loving family by her side on February 2, 2022. Affectionately known as Millie, her long life was marked by unwavering love, faith, and dedication to family. She has been reunited with her beloved husband, Angelo Arena, who died in 1995, and her son, Natale "Nat" Arena who died in 1989. Born in San Biagio Platani, Sicily on November 19, 1928, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Arcangela (Vitale) Barbaro. After emigrating to the United States at a young age, Millie resided in Chicago, where she attended parochial schools on the city's south side. Her family then relocated to Brooklyn, New York. After she married Angelo in 1954, she relocated from the bustling NYC life to the quiet rural world of Concord where she initially wondered "where are the subways?" But she quickly adapted to her new role as wife of a local farmer by learning to drive, working on the farm and caring for anyone who walked into her home. She became an avid gardener and her yard was filled with flowers, blooming trees and bird feeders. She also became an active member St. Bernard's Church (now Holy Family Parish). Millie's love for family and friends were her hallmark. Kind, generous, open, and always available to comfort or advise, "Millie's kitchen" was the center of her world. A meal ready for anyone who walked in, "Food is Love" would be the best way to describe her passion, and Millie's love was always abundant. A caregiver at heart, she never shied from helping family or friends with whatever needed to be done. Moreover, Millie rarely complained while she quietly aided anyone without fanfare or need for recognition. She was known to dote on her children and grandchildren; always available to listen, counsel and reassure. She loved her family which consisted of her children and grandchildren, but she also loved and helped so many friends and relatives. She was the cherished mother of Sandra Arena of Medford, Lina Arena-DeRosa and her husband James of Holliston, and Annamaria Nelms and her husband Keith of Concord. Millie is also survived by her loving grandchildren, Jessica (Murphy) Richardson and her husband Timothy, Gina-Marie Murphy, Anthony Arena-DeRosa, Melissa (Nelms) Wilmot and her husband Zachary, Alessandro Arena-DeRosa, and Andrew Nelms, two great grandchildren, Theodore and Patrick Richardson, three sisters-in-law, Josephine "Bobbie" Arena, Mary Fasano and Mary Barbaro, all of Concord, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was also the sister of the late Anna, Joseph, and Jim Barbaro. Family members and friends will gather for a period of visitation on Tuesday, February 8th from 9 am to 10:30 am in the Dee Funeral Home, 27 Bedford Street, Concord Center. Millie's Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 am in Holy Family Parish, Monument Square, Concord Center. Please click below for the Mass replay. Burial will immediately follow at St. Bernard's Cemetery in Concord. Arrangements are under the care of Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord.