Mable Lillian Lombardo
She was beautiful, compassionate and graceful
Quite possibly the most graceful woman in the world passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by her loving family, on May 27, 2020 at 2:15 p.m. Our tears were no match for the cheers in heaven.
Mabel Lillian (DiTullio) Lombardo was a special loving daughter, wife, mother, nana, sister, aunt, great-grandmother and friend to so many lucky people. She was beautiful, compassionate and graceful throughout her entire life.
Mabel was married to Sal Lombardo, who passed away in 2008. She was born on June 26, 1923 in Quincy where she lived almost all of her life and was to turn 97 in one month.
Mabel and Sal fell in love before WWII and were devoted to one another. Mabel saved all of his love letters and he signed each one “yours to love” or “love me as I love you.” They were forever romantic. They were married in 1946 and lived in Sal’s parent’s house in Somerville before Sal built her dream house in Quincy where she would be closer to her family.
Mabel was a great cook! Her dinners were the stuff of legends. Where do we begin? Stuffed artichokes? Roasted peppers? Sal would bring them home by the case and we have sweet memories of her at the kitchen counter, tirelessly preparing food with love. There was always a platter of chicken cutlets in the fridge and pounds of gnocchi in ziplocks in the freezer. She liked to make them around 10 o’clock at night if she was bored.
The highlight of our summer Cousin’s Weekends down the Cape would be her cooking lessons. The entire family chipped in, making an organized mess, listening to Nana and watching carefully as she taught so many of her favorite recipes.
For many years Mabel and Sal hosted a spectacular Christmas Eve party. There was always room for one more at the table. And Mabel always had a stash of presents so everyone got to sit on Santa’s lap.
Was there ever a family that did not receive one of her famous apple pies? Cortland apples were her secret. Summertime brought many pool parties to Adams Street-so many pounds of pasta and sausages! Mabel had a sense of style that was unparalleled. She could put together fabulous outfits, always with an incredible pocketbook.
Mabel was humble. She never knew how many young women she influenced. High schoolers to longtime friends were able to talk to her and she would listen without judgement. She knew how to say the right thing to help them along. She knew the right time for a hug. She was patient. Even in her busy life, she always made the time for you.
And then there was the time Frank Sinatra kissed her left cheek. “I’ll never wash my cheek again!” she said. Certainly a highlight in her life and a favorite story to tell. Mabel loved Tom Brady and the Patriots. She had her favorite TB shirt and beads she wore to watch every game.
Traveling was very important as was keeping in touch with her Italian family. There were many trips to Sicily and Filetto. Cruises around the Caribbean in a sailboat or an ocean liner. Hong Kong. Brazil. Skiing in Switzerland. And she was a daredevil! Parasailing at 50. White water rafting on the Colorado. Mabel was always ready for an adventure!
Mabel leaves a legacy of a loving family. Paula Lombardo of Braintree and her son, Nicholas Colia, daughter, Alessandra Hashemi, her husband, Paymon and Mabel’s first great grandchild, Giavana, Vincent Lombardo of Canton and his fiancé, Natalie Flaherty and son, Sal, his daughter, Francesca Lombardo Carbotti and her husband, Jordan; Dennis Lombardo and his dearly departed wife, Cindy, their daughter, Jessica Bigge and her husband, Richie and great granddaughter, Hazel; sons, David and his fiancé, Julia Kacmarek and Matthew and his fiancé, Kate Gragnolati, Nina Barros, her husband, David and their children, Manny and Joe.
Francelina Cruz is our angel who took care of Mabel like she was her own mother for four years. We love her very much and will never forget all she has done for us. Mabel also has many adoring nieces, nephews and dear friends.
Due to Covid 19 the services will be private. We will plan a celebration of her life in the future. Donations can be made to The Sal and Mabel Lombardo Scholarship Fund. Make checks out to East Boston K-Trust. EB Kiwanis Club PO Box 503 East Boston Mass 02128 or the Friendly Food Pantry, PO Box 802, Randolph, Mass 02368
Arrangements are under the care of the Cartwright Funeral Home, 419 No. Main St., Randolph. To leave a sympathy message for the family, visit www.cartwrightuneral.com.
Thomas Michael Burke
Of Revere
Thomas Michael Burke of Revere died on June 20 at the age of 69.
Thomas was a Corporal in the US Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and received the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and a Rifle Sharpshooter Badge.
Born in Boston on January 27, 1951 to the late James Burke and Virginia Mary (Barry) Mantica, he was the beloved husband of the late Evelyn (O’Neil), dear brother of Loretta Adreani and her husband, Raymond of Winthrop and the late Steven J. Burke and the adored uncle of Melissa and Raychel Adreani.
A visitation will be held at the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons-Bruno Funeral Home, 128 Revere St, Revere on Thursday, June 25 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. followed by a Prayer Service at 10:30 a.m. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. A private interment will be held at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the New England Center and Home for Veterans, 17 Court St #2601, Boston, MA 02108. For guest book please visit www.buonfiglio.com.
Benita Rose Festa
Retired Executive Secretary
Benita Rose Festa of Orient Heights, East Boston, passed away in her 103rd year after a brief illness.
Benita was a 1935 graduate of Boston’s Girls High School and then went on to secretarial school. She met her husband to be, Al, in 1936 and they married two years later.
Benita worked for City Service Oil Company (CITGO) in Kenmore Square as an executive secretary. After CITGO relocated, Benita was offered a position at White Fuel Oil Company in Braintree where she worked until retirement. She was passionate about her work and loved her career. She would often share stories about her experience in the oil company industry. After retiring, Benita went to work at East Boston District Cour, as an administrative assistant in the Juvenile Court Department. She was 73 when she left her job to care for her loving husband.
She was an avid reader and a fan of every Boston sports team. She also had a strong interest in fashion and loved shopping for herself and her family.
She was the loving daughter of the late Mark and Felicetta Corrado of East Boston, originally from Avellino, Italy; beloved wife of the late Albert Festa, Sr., devoted mother of Barbara Holden and her husband, Fred of Delray Beach, Florida, Beverly Pacheco and the late Richard Pacheco of Marshfield, Elaine Festa of Saugus and Albert J. Festa Jr. and his wife, Arline of Winthrop; dear sister of Stella Polcari of Belmont and the late Henry Corrado; cherished grandmother of Cheryl Holden Cuddy, Rick Holden, Robert Bagley, David Bagley, Kristin Mackenzie, Albert Festa III, Jennifer Festa Buono and Stephanie Dunbar and adored great-grandmother of 12 great-grandchildren.
Family and friends honored Benita’s life by gathering at the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, 971 Saratoga St., East Boston on Monday and again on Tuesday morning before leaving in funeral procession to St. Joseph – St. Lazarus Church for a Funeral Mass in celebration of Benita’s life. Services concluded with Benita being laid to rest with her beloved husband, Al at Woodlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Boston Wounded Vet. Run – ATTN: Vet Ride ITAM Post 6, 60 Paris Street E. Boston, MA 02128. For more information, please visit www.ruggieromh.com.
Frances Minichello
Past Exalted Ruler and HLM of Winthrop Lodge of Elks and 47-year employee of Blue Cross BlueShield of Massachusetts,
A Funeral Mass was celebrated in the Immaculate Conception Church on Saturday, June 20 for Frances M. (Hickey) Minichello, 73, who was stricken at her home and later passed at the North Shore Medical Center in Salem. Services concluded with interment in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.
A current resident of Swampscott, Fran was a native of Boston and a resident of East Boston for over 65 years. She was educated in St. Mary Star of the Sea Grammar School and was a graduate of the Fitton School, Class of 1964. Fran then attended Emanuel College and Boston State College.
She began an exceptionally long and rewarding career with Blue Cross – Blue Shield of Massachusetts that spanned 47 years. Her hardworking and diligent personality allowed her to rise to the title of Provider Relations Manager. Fran took such pride in anything she did.
She was married to her one and only true love, William R. Minichello on June 10, 1979 and they just celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary together.
She was the very proud mother of her only son, Andrew. Fran was devoted to her family and to anything she believed in.
Both she and her husband were active in the Winthrop Lodge of Elks #1078. Fran was the Past Exalted Ruler (P.E.R.), Past District Deputy (P.D.D.) State Chairman of the Elks National Foundation and an Honorary Lifetime Member (H.L.M.). She was also the past President of the Association of the Notre Dame Alumni. Fran was committed to these causes because of her strong convictions and her belief to make a difference.
Wherever she went, she made friendships that lasted a lifetime. She remained close to her childhood friends, classmates, work colleagues and her brother and sister Elks throughout the country. Her small stature and bright smile was nothing compared to her enormous heart and unwavering love for life and family.
She is the beloved wife of 41 years to William R. Minichello of Swampscott, formerly of East Boston; loving and proud mother of Boston Police Sergeant Andrew J. Minichello and his wife, Maria of East Boston; cherished grandmother of Matthew Daniel; dear sister of Evelyn M. “Lynn” Wilson and her husband, R. Lee of New Hampshire, James A. Hickey and his wife, Nancy of Virginia and the late George B. Hickey, Jr. and his surviving wife, Ann Hickey of New Hampshire; devoted daughter of the late Ret. Boston Fire Captain George B. Hickey, Sr. and Evelyn M. (Crotty) Hickey. She is also lovingly survived by many loving nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, four godchildren, lifelong friends, extended family and colleagues.
Remembrances may be made to the Elks National Foundation c/o Winthrop Lodge of Elks #1078, 191Washington Ave., Winthrop, MA 02152 or Mass State Elk’s Scholarship Fund, c/o Winthrop Lodge of Elks #1078, 191 Washington Ave. Winthrop, MA 02152. To send online condolences, please visit www.vertuccioandsmith.com. Funeral Arrangements under the care and direction of the Vertuccio & Smith, Home for Funerals.