Maria Gunn-Venuti
Had a colorful and diverse career path
Maria J. Gunn-Venuti, a long-time resident of the Revere Beach area and formerly of Orient Heights in East Boston, peacefully passed away in her sleep on Wednesday, February 15 at Hathorne Hill Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Danvers.
Born in Chelsea in September of 1920, Maria was the youngest child and only surviving daughter of Paolo and Giuseppa (Tinerello) Ciaramella. She was predeceased by her parents, her five brothers: Raphael (Ralph), Nicholas, Armando (Eddie), Anthony, and Martin Ciaramella and their spouses and her sister, Martha Ciaramella. She was also predeceased by the love of her life, quintessential dancing partner and husband, Joseph F. Gunn.
Maria was educated at St. Rose Elementary School and Chelsea High School prior to embarking upon a colorful and diverse career path – a sales consultant for Mdm. Merken’s Foundation Garments in Boston – a nurse’s aide which placed her in the middle of the chaos of the November, 1942 Coconut Grove Fire in Boston – a welder and riveter at the Boston Naval Shipyard during and after World War II – a buyer for the Robert Hall
Company – a hostess and waitress at the Ritz Family Restaurant on Revere Street in Revere – a hostess and waitress at Jimmy Magg’s Restaurant on Bennington Street in East Boston from which she retired at the age of 79. Maria loved travelling with her daughter, Paula (England, Ireland, Scotland and Egypt) and her St. Lazarus Sr. Citizen buddies. She also loved ballroom dancing, music and the theater.
She is survived by her two loving daughters, Valerie Gunn of Maine and Paula Gunn of Chelsea, her adoring Ciaramella nieces and nephews (the children and grandchildren of her five brothers), her sister-in-law Frances Gunn of Winthrop, her brother-in-law, Thomas Powers of Virginia, and the many nieces and nephews of the Gunn, Powers, Underwood and Silva families.
Family and friends will honor Maria’s life by gathering in Vazza’s “Beechwood” Funeral Home, 262 Beach St. Revere today, Wednesday, February 22 from 9 to 11 a.m. followed by a service in our chapel of the resurrection at 11 a.m. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett, and then, at 2 p.m., a Celebration of Life with Family, Friends, and Caregivers will be held at Hathorne Hill Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 15 Kirkbride Drive, Danvers. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital:www. stjude.org/Donate
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Rose Marie Morabito
Of Tewksbury, formerly of East Boston
Rose Marie Morabito of Tewksbury, formerly East Boston, passed away peacefully on February 11.
The former wife of the late Richard Bartlett, she was the devoted sister of Domenic Morabito, and the late Dorothy E. Surface and is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
Family and friends will honor Rose Marie’s life by gathering in the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, 971 Saratoga Street, (Orient Heights) East Boston on Saturday, February 25 from 12 noon to 2 p.m. for a memorial celebration of her life where family and friends can share stories and memories.
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Thomas Conroy
Former East Boston resident
homas F. Conroy, formerly of East Boston, died suddenly in West Yarmouth on February 14.
He was the beloved son of Elena (Cerrone) of East Boston and the late James M. Conroy; brother of James M. Conroy Jr. and his wife, Joanna of Revere; uncle of James M. Conroy III and his wife, Melissa and Johnathan R. Conroy and his wife, Lauren; granduncle of Ava Jaymes Conroy and nephew of Phyllis Cerrone.
Tom’s Funeral Mass was held at Sacred Heart Church on Saturday, February 18 and interment followed in St. Patrick Cemetery, Stoneham. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory to the American Heart Association would be appreciated. For additional information, visit: MagrathFuneralHome.com
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Christine Ellis
Of Chelsea
Christine Ellis of Chelsea died peacefully in her sleep on February 14.
She was the loving daughter of the late Lynwood and Carol Ellis; beloved mother of Joseph Healy Jr. and Sarah Griffin, both of Chelsea; dear sister of Joann Todisco of Chelsea and Lynn Ellis, both of Chelsea and is also survived by her cherished aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Family and friends will honor Christine’s life by gathering in the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, 971 Saratoga St., (Orient Heights) East Boston on Saturday, February 25 from 4 to 6 p.m. to share stories and memories of Christine’s life. For more information, visit: www.ruggieromh.com
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John Vozella
Boston School teacher and principal
John V. Vozella of Wakefield, formerly of Winthrop and East Boston, died unexpectedly on February 17.
A US Navy veteran of World War II, John worked as a teacher with the Boston Public Schools for over 30 years during which time he was principal of the Curtis Guild and assistant principal of the Barnes Schools.
He was the beloved husband of Patricia (Kelley) Vozella; dear stepfather of Diane Scarpa and her husband, Gino of Texas, Richard Petrillo and his wife, Laura of Stoneham, Julie Figueroa and her husband, Mark of Arizona; devoted brother of Ethel Innello of California and the late Ida Dente, Teresa and Ernest Vozella, Eva Wutcher and Julia Constantine; cherished grandfather of Kaitlin, Matthew, Gianna, Sophia, Dario, Ryan, Braeden and Sarah.
Family and friends will honor John’s life by gathering in the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, 971 Saratoga St. (Orient Heights) East Boston today, Wednesday, February 22 from 4 to 8 p.m. and again on Thursday morning, February 23 at
9:30 a.m. before leaving in procession to St. Florence Church, 47 Butler Avenue, Wakefield for a Funeral Mass celebrating John’s life at 11 a.m. Services will conclude with John being laid to rest in Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden. In honoring John and in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Honor Flight N.E., 1193 Hookset Rd#2, Hookset N.H 03106.
For complimentary transportation to funeral home, please call 617 569 0990. For more information, please visit www.ruggieromh.com
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Michelle Macchione
Of Revere
Michelle (Inglese) Macchione of Revere died suddenly on February 14.
The beloved wife of the late Charles A., she was the devoted mother of Anthony Macchione of Revere; loving daughter of the late Larry and Hannah (Stary) McCarthy; dear sister of Deborah Fudge and her husband, Keith of Everett, Lawrence Inglese and his wife, Tara of Londonderry NH, and Jeffrey Inglese of South Boston; cherished grandmother of Vincent James Macchione and is also survived by her loving step father, Al McCarthy and nieces and nephews: Amanda, Lauren, Samantha, Erik, Lorenzo, Jon-Vincent, and Giovani.
Funeral arrangements were by the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons-Bruno Funeral Home, Revere. Interment was at Woodlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lupus Foundation of NE, 40 Speen St, Framingham MA 01701. For guest book, please visit: www.Buonfiglio.com
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Eleanor Saraceni
Former Director of Maverick Tenants Organizaation and community advocate
Eleanor Sarceni of East Boston died peacefully on February15.
The former Director of Maverick Tenants Organization, she was instrumental in the Hope VI, redevelopment of the current Maverick Landing. A Lifetime board member of East Boston CDC, she was a committed advocate to her community.
She was the loving daughter of the late Domenic and Lucia ( Guisto) Saraceni; dear sister of Sara, Joseph, Marylou, John, Louis and the late Rocco. Ralph, Phyllis and Christine; cherished Godmother of Eleanor Peterson and also survived by many adored nieces and nephews and the devoted friend of Ruth Capone.
A memorial mass in celebration of Eleanor’s life will be held on Friday, February 24 at 5 p.m. at the Most Holy Redeemer Church, Maverick Street (Maverick Square) East Boston. Arrangements are with the personal care of the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, East Boston. For more information, visit: www.ruggieromh.com.