Shirley Agnes O’Malley
Devout Catholic; longtime secretary at General Electric
Shirley Agnes O’Malley, age 93, formerly of Pittsfield, died after a long battle with dementia on Sunday, Feb. 24 at Light House Nursing Care Center, Revere. She spent her final days listening to Irish tunes and visited by loved ones.
Despite her illness, Shirley remained funny, friendly and retained a keen sense of fashion. She enjoyed a special language of joy and affection with her caretakers and family. She had just recently celebrated her 93rd birthday with Boston Crème Pie served by her great niece, Polina Mary Beth and her husband, Douglas Bell. Her favorite caretaker, Julie helped her cut the cake and enjoyed many laughs over the past three years.
Shirley and the other residents enjoyed visits from Nancy O’Malley’s dog, Molly, who loved all the pats and smiles she received as soon as she walked through the door and headed for Shirley in her favorite chair.
Shirley grew up in Pittsfield and graduated from Pittsfield High School. She worked for General Electric as a secretary for many years. In her younger days she enjoyed outdoor skating, skiing, drawing, and swimming at Plunkett Reservoir. Shirley loved the mountains and enjoyed driving with her sister, Gertrude throughout the back roads of the Berkshires. Shirley was a devout Catholic throughout her life.
In 2011, Shirley moved to Melbourne Assisted Living in Pittsfield, with a mountain view that she cherished. When this was no longer an option, in 2015, family moved her to Lighthouse Nursing Care Center in order to be closer to her nieces, Nancy and Mary Beth who both live in Winthrop.
Shirley was the daughter of Alice (Dudley) O’Malley and James O’Malley Sr. Shirley’s family also includes nieces Nancy and Mary Beth O’Malley, great niece Polina Bell and Mary Beth’s husband, Douglas Bell all of Winthrop. Shirley never had children and adored her nieces and nephews and their children. There are more than 40 great nephews and nieces residing throughout the country.
Shirley was predeceased by her older brothers, James O’Malley, John and Tom Sullivan and sisters Gertrude O’Malley and Mary (Sullivan) Spencer and nephews, Robert, Thomas, and Peter Sullivan.
A celebration of her life will take place in the spring with family and friends. As Shirley was a lover of animals, especially cats, memorial donations in her honor are asked for The Danny Boy Adoption Fund, P.O. Box 4043, Pittsfield Mass 01202.
Concetta Saraceno
Member of Revere League of Special Needs
Concetta “Connie†Saraceno of Winthrop, formerly of the West End of Boston, passed away peacefully on March 1 at the age of 84 after a courageous battle with cancer.
Connie loved cooking for family gatherings and dinners. She was a member of the Revere League for Special Needs and enjoyed baking cookies and brownies for their yearly holiday celebrations.
Born in Boston, she was the only daughter of the late Domenico and Carmella (Raciti) Silvestro. beloved wife of Gaetano Saraceno of Winthrop for 57 years, devoted mother of Carmela (Saraceno) Knipe of Apple Valley, Minn., Joseph Saraceno and Guy Saraceno, both of Winthrop; cherished grandmother of Concetta (Connie) Marie Knipe and Daniel Henry Knipe of Apple Valley, Minn., dearest sister of Joseph Silvestro and his wife, Dorothy (Dottie) of Monument Beach, Mass., Domenic Silvestro Jr. and his wife, Cheryll of Quincy, the late Frank Silvestro and his wife, Jeanne of Revere, the late Ralph Silvestro and his wife, Josephine (Josie) of Walpole and the late Sebastian (Jimmy) Silvestro and his wife, Mary Geraldine ‘Jerri.’ Connie was predeceased by her son Domenic Saraceno, who died at birth in 1972. She was also loved by many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
Family and friends are cordially invited to attend the visitation from the Caggiano-O’Maley-Frazier Funeral Home, 147 Winthrop St., Winthrop on Saturday, March 9 from 10 a.m. to noon. A funeral service will be held in the funeral home immediately following the visitation at 12 noon. Services will conclude with interment in the Belle Isle section of Winthrop Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to the Revere League for Special Needs 200 Winthrop Ave., Revere, MA 02151. For directions or to sign the online guestbook go to www.caggianofuneralhome.com.