Florence D’Avella
Dedicated Community Advocate and Activist
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Florence Rita (DeAngelis) D’Avella. Florence passed on March 6 in her 102nd year in her home in Brooksby Village surrounded by her family.
Florence was born in East Boston on November 8, 1921, the daughter of the late Amelia (Colantuono) and Henry DeAngelis. She graduated from East Boston High School. “Flossie” was employed at Western Union, Johns Manville and after raising her children, for the Boston Public Schools for over twenty years. She volunteered for many years as a Girl Scout leader with her close friend, the late Rose Christopher. She was also a dedicated community advocate and activist with her sister, Dr. Edith DeAngelis, at Trinity House and Camp. They worked to save Wood Island Park from Massport takeover. They tirelessly participated in committees establishing Piers Park, the East Boston Greenway and the Belle Isle Marsh.
In the company of family and friends, Florence celebrated her 100th Birthday, where she was honored by both the Boston City Council and the Governor’s Office.
Florence relocated to Brooksby Village in 2005 where she was an active member of the community and was well loved for her generosity, kindness and shining joyful smile. While at Brooksby Village she participated in many organizations, enjoyed swimming and discovered a new talent through her pottery.
She was devoted to her family. She was known for her cooking, always welcoming everyone into her home. She was a loving wife to her late husband, Mario. She is survived by her children: Richard and his wife, Lisa of Winthrop, Patricia of Londonderry, NH; her grandchildren, Gabriella, Robert and Richard, great-granddaughter Aurora, as well as many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her siblings, Robert, Joseph, Catherine Zarba and Edith DeAngelis Ph.D.
At Florence’s request a private wake and prayer service was held at Magrath Funeral Home. She will be interred with her husband, Mario at St. Michael Cemetery.
Stephen Freni
Longtime Generational Member of the Orient Heights Yacht Club
Stephen Freni of East Boston passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 18 at 83 years of age.
A longtime generational member of the Orient Heights Yacht Club in East Boston, Stephen loved boating and singing.
The beloved husband of 53 years to Josephine (Celona) Freni, he was the devoted father of Margaret Vahey and her husband, Jimmy, Mary Jo McCarthy and her husband, Jimmy, Stephen Freni Jr. and his partner, Jessica, and Frank Freni and his wife, Monica; dear brother of Louis and Rocco Freni; cherished grandfather of Cristen, Alexa, Skye, Jimmy, Luca, and Stephen and great-grandfather of Nova. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
Family and friends will honor Stephen’s life by gathering at the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, 971 Saratoga Street, (Orient Heights) East Boston, on Friday, March 24 from 4 to 8 p.m. and again on Saturday morning at 8 a.m. before leaving in procession to the Sacred Heart Parish, 45 Brooks Street, East Boston for a Funeral Mass celebrating Stephen’s life at 9:30 a.m. Committal services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Kidney Fund, 11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300, Rockville MD 20852. Stephen was a longtime generational member of Orient Height Yacht Club in East Boston. Stephen loved boating and singing. May he rest in peace. To leave an online condolence please visit www.ruggieromh.com.
Jamie Lee Boucher
She Centered Her Life Around Her Kids
Jamie Lee Boucher of Methuen passed away suddenly on March 13.
Jamie’s kids were her everything and she centered her life around them. She loved crafts, tattoos and music. She enjoyed decorating for Christmas every year. Jamie enjoyed cooking for her family and her delicious meals will be treasured forever. May she rest in peace.
The beloved wife of Jay Boucher, she was the loving daughter of James “Jimmy” LaGrassa and the late Leonora “Lee” (Walbourne), devoted mother of Dylan and Devin Boucher; dear sister of Steven LaGrassa, Marlena Donovan and her husband, Ryan, cherished aunt of Nicholas, Ryan Jr. and Patrick, adored granddaughter of Mary LaGrassa and the late Philip, Leonard and Lena Walbourne and treasured daughter in law of Bruce and Lori Boucher. She is also survived by many loving aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A funeral mass will be celebrated in Jamie’s honor today, Wednesday, March 22 at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph- St. Lazarus Church, East Boston. Please meet directly at church. Please omit flowers.
Due to Jamie’s devotion to helping children, memorial donations may be made in Jamie’s name to the White Sutton Syndrome Foundation.
To leave an online condolence, please visit www.ruggieromh.com.
Annette Marie McDermott
Of East Boston
Annette Marie (Serino) McDermott of East Boston passed away on March 18. The loving daughter of the late Ralph and Leonora (DiFilippo) Serino, she was the devoted mother of Bobbi McDermott and her fiancé, Joshua Schrag and the late Kerri DiZoglio and Ralph DiZoglio and cherished grandmother of Domenic Noe. Family and friends will honor Annette’s life by gathering at the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, 971 Saratoga Street, East Boston on Thursday, March 23 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. before leaving in procession to Sacred Heart Church in East Boston for an 11 a.m. Funeral Mass. Services will conclude with Annette being laid to rest in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. To leave an online condolence, visit www.ruggieromh.com.