Marie R. “Queenie” Ekasala
Devoted mother and grandmother
A Funeral Mass was celebrated in Sacred Heart Church on Tuesday, February 25, for Marie R. “Queenie” (Orlandella) Ekasala, who passed away on February 20, at 82 years of age. Interment followed in Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden.
Marie was raised in Boston’s North End and was the daughter of Ralph and Dorothy (Gallo) Orlandella. She attended elementary school and graduated from high school in the North End. In 1970, she married John “Jack” Ekasala. The couple began their family and eventually settled in East Boston.
“Queenie,” as she was affectionately known, possessed a strong faith since her early upbringing in St. Leonard’s Church in the North End and after arriving in East Boston, she shared that same love and dedication to Sacred Heart Parish in East Boston.
She was a devoted mother and grandmother with her main focus always being her family. Queenie held lifelong connections to the North End.
The beloved wife of John J. “Jack” Ekasala of East Boston, daughter of the late Ralph and Dorothy (Gallo) Orlandella and stepdaughter of the late Henry R. Boyd, she was the devoted mother of Sherri Orlandella, Marc Orlandella, Danny Ekasala and his wife Susan, all of East Boston and the late William P. “Billy” Ekasala; cherished grandmother of Marc Orlandella, Jr., Keith Andrade, Taya Ekasala, Talia Ekasala, and Jayanna Ekasala; dear sister of Phil, Theresa, Carol, Henry, Cheryl, Debbie, Joann, Richie, Tony, Jackie, Robert, Angie, Linda, and the late Dorothy, Janet, Peppy and Ralph. She is also lovingly survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
To send online condolences, please visit www.vertucciosmithvazza.com. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care and direction of the Vertuccio Smith & Vazza, Beechwood Home for Funerals, Revere.
Elizabeth Bennett
Retiree of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
Elizabeth A. Bennett, a lifelong resident of East Boston, affectionately known as “Auntie Betty,” passed away after a brief battle with cancer peacefully on February 21, 2025, while she was surrounded by her loving family.
Born in Boston, she was a devoted daughter of the late Elizabeth and Robert Bennett. She is survived by her dear sister Lillian J. Bennett of East Boston and brothers: Robert J. Bennett and his wife, Kathleen of East Boston and Ronald V. Bennett and his wife, Tina of Connecticut; adored aunt of Robert and his wife, Rebecca Bennett, Godson Paul and his wife, Caryn Bennett, Laura and her husband, Jered Kraszewski and Goddaughter Andrea Bennett; cherished Great-auntie to Dom Bennett, Shawmut Bennett, Nova Bennett, Stella Kraszewski, and Jered Jr. Kraszewski. Betty is also survived by many other dear friends. Betty worked for over 45 years at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.
She worked in the human resources department alongside countless friends and colleagues that were dearly missed. Auntie Betty dedicated her life and time to her community empowering kids through dance. She would often be found volunteering with her lifelong friend, Beverly at the Beverly Richards Dance Studio in East Boston. She would always speak of the endless joy she had while coaching the ladies of the Savio Prep cheering teams. She would also spend time preparing ladies for beauty pageants including the Miss America pageant series. Auntie Betty loved traveling to New York and seeing Broadway shows with her lifelong and dear friend Marion Richards.
Above all, Auntie Betty loved her family. This was visible in everything she did, even down to her very last days. She will be dearly missed by those who loved her, but she will never be forgotten for the love she shared.
Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours on Friday, February 28 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home in East Boston. A committal service will be held on Saturday at 12:45 p.m, at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett. May she rest in peace, forever in our hearts.
To leave an online condolence visit www.ruggieromh.com.
Alba Brennan
Her life was a testament to the power of nurturing love, the joy of family, and the simple pleasures of a life well-lived
Alba (Lenarduzzi) Brennan, a beacon of generosity and selflessness, passed away peacefully on February 18, 2025 at the venerable age of 91.
Born on October 10, 1933 in the historic city of Boston, Alba’s life was a testament to the power of nurturing love, the joy of family and the simple pleasures of a life well-lived.
Alba’s journey began as the youngest sibling to Gina, Pauline and Helen, all of whom predeceased her, leaving behind a legacy of family bonds that she would carry forward. She was a devoted wife to her late husband, James Brennan, a partnership that blossomed into a loving family of their own. Together, they raised a remarkable brood of children: Linda, Jim, Michael, Stephen, John, Thomas, and Timmy. Alba was preceded in death by her beloved son, Freddy, whose memory remained a cherished part of her life.
Beyond her immediate family, Alba’s love extended to her grandchildren: Eric, Amanda, Timothy James “TJ”, Lauren, Costa and Natalie, each of whom brought immense joy and pride to her life. She was also blessed to witness the birth of her great-grandchild, Willow, a new generation to inherit her wisdom and warmth.
Alba’s interests and passions painted the portrait of a woman who found richness in the everyday. An avid reader, she was often found with a book in hand, lost in tales and knowledge that spanned genres and worlds. Her love for game shows was a source of lively entertainment, her cheers and laughter a familiar soundtrack during family gatherings.
In the kitchen, Alba was unmatched, known far and wide for making the best eggplant dish that family and friends would request time and again. Her culinary prowess was most on display during the holidays, which she hosted with unrivaled enthusiasm, filling the house with mouthwatering aromas and the warmth of her generous spirit.
Nature provided her a sanctuary for reflection and peace, as birdwatching became a cherished hobby. Alba would spend hours in quiet observation, appreciating the beauty and diversity of the feathered creatures that visited her garden.
Alba’s character was the epitome of thoughtfulness. She lived her life with an open heart, always putting others before herself. Her actions were guided by an innate sense of duty to care for those around her, a quality that endeared her to all who knew her.
The void left by Alba’s absence will be deeply felt by her family, who saw in her not just a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, but a guiding light and cornerstone of their lives. Her legacy is one of unconditional love, a reminder that the truest riches are found in the relationships we nurture and the care we give to others.
As the sun sets on Alba Brennan’s life story, we are reminded of the enduring impact one life can have on many. Her memory will be cherished and celebrated, a testament to a life that, though now concluded, will continue to inspire and influence generations to come. Alba’s passing is not an end, but a transition, as her spirit lives on in the hearts of those she touched with her boundless generosity and loving nature.
Family and friends will honor Alba’s life by gathering at the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, 971 Saratoga St., East Boston on Saturday, March 1st from 9 to 11 a.m. followed by a Memorial Service in the chapel of the Memorial Home at 11 a.m. Services will conclude with Alba being laid to rest with her beloved husband, James at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett.