Obituaries 08-18-2021

Rose Marie White

A strong advocate for music who could humorously recall the joys and challenges of her East Boston upbringing

Rose Marie White has passed away peacefully and unexpectedly in her home.

Rose Marie was the second child of Americo and Eva (Orcione) D’Allessandro and grew up in East Boston on Everett and Sumner Streets.  She graduated from East Boston High School in 1963.

Rose Marie worked for several years at the Registry of Motor Vehicles.  In 1972, she married Francis White and in 1974 they welcomed their son, Anthony, to whom she was an extremely devoted mother. 

In the 1990s, Rose Marie was a regular patron of the Wonderland Ballroom where she truly loved jazz and big band music.  Rose Marie had an ongoing knowledge of most of the great jazz musicians of the 20th Century and was also involved with the New England Jazz Society and the East Boston Healthy

Boston Coalition where she was a strong advocate for music in public places such as Maverick Square and Piers Park.  She has always been a strong supporter of Zumix.

Rose Marie had a true appreciation for authenticity.  She loved honest people, a good meal in any restaurant or home, an excellent musician, the ocean, a good haircut or a nice car.  She bought her first Cadillac before she even had her driver’s license. 

An avid pedestrian, she frequently took the “T” to Chinatown for a wonderful lunch, followed by a visit to Saint Anthony’s Shrine on Arch Street.  She enthusiastically complimented bus drivers and street cleaners on their work and happily engaged in conversation with people from all walks of life.   She was funny, outspoken, and direct.  

Rose Marie was devoted to Saint Anthony and attended Catholic Mass regularly, in both English and Spanish.  She prayed regularly for her family and friends. 

Rose Marie appreciated her East Boston upbringing and could humorously recall its joys and challenges.

And, she was able to introduce new friends and neighbors to the physical and social landscape of East Boston and the community, culture and neighborhood she knew so well.  She had a keen understanding of people and an insightful view of life.  Every moment with Rose Marie was lively. When asked how she was doing, she’d often reply “up and down and all around.”

Besides “my Anthony” and “my husband Franny”,  Rose Marie is survived by her sister, Janet and by many friends and relatives.  Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her sister, Angelina (Tootsie), her Nephew, David and more recently her lifelong best friend, Anna Speciale Colvario.

Family and friends honored Rose Marie’s life by gathering in Vazza’s “Beechwood” Funeral Home, Revere on Tuesday morning, August 17, followed by interment at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett. A musical celebration of Rose Marie’s life will take place at a later date.       

www.vazzafunerals.com.

Eleanor Louise Bernabei

Of Maine, formerly of East Boston

Eleanor Louise Bernabei, 85, passed away peacefully on August 10 surrounded by family and friends.

She was born in East Boston on March 7, 1936, to Joseph E. Gleason and Elizabeth P. Gleason (Crawford). She was the tenth of 11 children and their youngest daughter. She attended Catholic schools in East Boston, graduating from high school in 1953 from Most Holy Redeemer Catholic High School for Girls.

After graduation she worked briefly at Sears & Roebuck Co. before beginning a career with New England Telephone and Telegraph Co. She remained at the Telephone company for 15 years until 1968 when she began her family.

On April 1, 1967 she married her husband of 53 years, Domenic W. Bernabei and moved from East Boston, to Portland, ME to begin her family. She had five children; four daughters Judith, Lenore, Kathleen and Maureen before she gave birth to her son, Andrew.

For 13 years she was a stay at home mother before beginning her second career with St. Joseph’s Parish in Portland, ME as Director of Religious Education, a position she held until her retirement in 1997.

She was active in her parish, St. Joseph’s as member of the Home & School Association and is remembered for her fundraising with the “Giant Yard Sales” and the “Adopt a Student” program which raised funds for tuition assistance.

As her children entered high school, she continued to be active in the Parents’ Clubs of both Cheverus and Catherine McAuley High Schools. In addition to preparing young people for the Sacraments of Holy Eucharist and Confirmation; she would direct the Stations of the Cross productions at St. Joseph’s that were performed each year as part of Holy Week.

When school ended for the summer, you could find her at camp in Belmont, NH at Lake Winnisquam. There, family and friends were always welcome and on weekends it wouldn’t be unusual to see 30-40 friends and family gathering for the Sunday BBQ. She would remain at camp each summer until school began in the fall, returning one final time each October to close the camp for the winter and to say goodbye to her camp friends until the next summer.

Other activities she enjoyed were watching Boston sports teams, reading, crafting, knitting, and attending her children’s various sports and school activities. She loved spending time with her grandchildren, either playing board games such as “Sorry” or card games, especially Michigan Rummy. Each grandchild had their own jar of pennies at Nana’s to use when they played.

In her later years she was able to keep in touch with family and friends through social media, especially Facebook.

She was predeceased by her husband, her parents, and her siblings; Joseph E Gleason Jr, George L. Gleason, Robert H. Gleason, Charles P. Gleason, Isabel M. Gleason and Mary Alice Corlito. She is survived by her children; Judith M. Carlstrom and her husband, Erik of Portland, ME; Lenore A. Hilton and her husband, Todd of Portland, ME; Kathleen M. Lawrence and her husband, Ken of Roswell, GA; Maureen E Smart and her husband, Brian of South Portland, ME; Andrew D. Bernabei and his wife, Stephanie (Martinson) of Leicester, MA. She is also survived by her grandchildren; Nicholas and Rachael Lawrence, Abigail and Emma Bernabei, Griffin, McKenzie and Grady Smart and Alison Hilton; her sister, Pauline E. Miozza of Dover, DE; her brother, James W. Gleason of East Boston and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to attend visiting hours for Eleanor on Friday, August 20, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Jones Rich and Barnes Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland, ME 04103. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, August 21, at 11a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 673 Stevens Ave, Portland ME 04103. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Portland ME.

Tina Hinojosa Lauria

Former owner of the Yoga Lounge, owner of SoulDrink, and an advocate for people in recovery

Tina Hinojosa Lauria, age 45, died unexpectedly on Friday, August 13.

Tina was the daughter of the late Herberto Hinojosa and Maria (Imbracsio) Doherty. She leaves behind her proudest accomplishment, her daughter, Kayla. Co-parenting together, Tina and Kayla’s dad, Matt Parlante of Saugus, channeled all their energy and focus on raising their beautiful daughter. She also leaves her brother, Michael, his wife Marie-Elena and their children, Christopher and Ally, all of Revere, as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Tina was previously married to Officer Andrew Lauria and was step-mother to his three children, Drew, Dante and Andrea, all of Revere. Tina also had a love for animals. Espy, her 17 year old dog, was a constant in Tina’s life. Espy went with Tina everywhere, even to classes and work! Losing her in July was devastating to Tina.

Tina was a 1993 graduate of Revere High School, Tina continued her education at Salem State and received her Associates Degree. She was the owner of Unlimited Bookkeeping Services and worked as a bookkeeper for Roof Repairs Corp. and Power of Recovery. Her passion was yoga. She was the previous co-owner of The Yoga Lounge and also owned SoulDrink. Her classes were well known in the area and people loved the energy and positivity she radiated. She was a wellness advocate for Doterra and was also heavily involved in NamaStay Sober, a recovery based non-profit, at one time acting as their Director of Events.

She was a strong advocate for people in recovery. Tina’s beauty and strength were her biggest assets and she used her personal experiences to help people through their darkest days. She touched countless amounts of lives. Her infectious grin and love of life was the greatest gift she could pass on to her daughter.

Everyone is welcome to pay their respects to Tina on Thursday, Aug. 19, from 3-8 pm at St. Anthony’s Church in Revere. Visitation on Friday morning will be private, however, all are welcome to her Mass at 10 a.m., also at St. Anthony’s.

Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to NamaStay Sober, 80 Cottage Street, Boston, MA 02128 or at namastaysober.com.

For guest book please visit www.buonfiglio.com

Ronale Polito

Of East Boston

Ronaele R. (Small)  Polito died in East Boston, August 11after a long illness. 

 The beloved wife of the late Richard O. Polito, she was the daughter of the late Eleanor (Carlson) and Samuel Small, loving mother of Everett A. “Chico” Fraser Jr. of East Boston and the late Dorothy Grace Polito, devoted Nana to Illyana Polito and dear sister of Catherine Clapp of Maryland, Suzanne Small of Everett, Lillian Nesbit of East Boston and the late Carol Kilbreth, Louise Shepherd, Marion Cheffro, Patricia Brown, Barbara McCormack, Charles, William and Samuel Small.

 She was godmother to Ronaele Nesbit of New Hampshire and she also leaves behind many family members, cousins and friends.

 Private family committal will take place in Woodlawn Cemetery. Please leave messages of condolence for the family on her Tribute Page at  MagrathFuneralHome.com.

Ann DeSimone

A warm, loving and kind person

Ann (Bellofatto) DeSimone, a lifelong resident of Revere, passed away on August 12 with her loving family by her side.

Ann was a warm, loving, and kind person who loved spending time with her family. She enjoyed going to Encore and traveling with her husband.  She worked as a secretary for many years. Most recently, she worked as a substitute teacher at the Lincoln School. This brought her much happiness and long lasting friendships. No words can express this incredible loss. She will be deeply missed.

Born in Revere on June 28, 1938 to the late Frank and Emma Bellofatto (Llewellyn), she was the beloved wife of 65 years to Michael DeSimone Sr., devoted mother of Michael DeSimone Jr. and his late wife, Cheryl of Plymouth, Diana Bright of Revere, Karen Vecchione and her husband, Richard of Danvers and Joanne Perullo and her husband, Charles of Revere; cherished grandmother of Jennifer DeSimone and her partner, Damien Britto, Michael DeSimone III, Amanda, Dayna, Diandra and Danae Bright, Richard and Stacy Vecchione, and Charlie, Nicole and James Perullo; adored great grandmother of Sophia, Nicholas, Reese, Lucas, Julianna and Cameron; dear sister of Emmalyn Grillo of Woburn, George Bellofatto and his wife, Doreen of Revere and the late Frank Bellofatto and his surviving wife, Norma, and the late Richard Bellofatto and his surviving wife, Maryann. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. Ann was a warm, loving, and kind person who loved spending time with her family. She enjoyed going to Encore and traveling with her husband.  She worked as a secretary for many years. Most recently, she worked as a substitute teacher at the Lincoln School. This brought her much happiness and long lasting friendships. No words can express this incredible loss. She will be deeply missed.

All services were held privately by the immediate family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ann’s name to the Make-A-Wish Foundation at  wish.org or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at  stjude.org. For guest book please visit  www.buonfiglio.com.

Alice D. (Morris), DeRosa

of East Boston

Alice D. (Morris), DeRosa of East Boston, formerly of Revere, passed away on Monday, August 16, 2021 at ninety-six years of age. Beloved wife of the late John DeRosa. Devoted mother of Catherine DeRosa-Karpowicz and husband, Michael, of West Peabody, and Heidi DeRosa of East Boston. Dear sister of Elynor Fabian of Florida, Barbara Chiaramonte of Revere, and the late Charles Morris and Nelson Morris Jr.  Cherished grandmother of Allison Woolf and husband, Matt. Treasured great-grandmother of Kayleigh. Also survived by her many loving nieces and nephews. Family and friends will honor Alice’s life by gathering at the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, 971 Saratoga Street, (Orient Heights) East Boston, on Friday, August 20th, from 9:00 to 11:00 A.M. before leaving in procession to the Immaculate Conception Church, Revere, for a funeral Mass celebrating Alice’s life at 11:30 A.M. Services will conclude with Alice being laid to rest with her beloved husband, John, at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. May they rest in peace. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Alice’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Places, Memphis, TN 378105. to leave an online condolence please visit www.ruggieromh.com

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