Frances Donovan
Of Ohio, formerly of Winthrop
Frances M. (Blades) Donovan, 77, of Fairlawn, Ohio, passed away peacefully at home on November 23. Fran was born in Winthrop on August 6, 1946.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Helen Blades; her loving husband of 42 years, Kenneth; and her sisters, Eleanor Pimentel Swierk and Virginia Simonalle. Fran is survived by her sons, William J. Donovan and Frank T. Donovan; grandsons, Erich J. Donovan and William P. Donovan and nieces and nephews, Mark T. Pimentel, William M. Pimentel, Virginia M. Flockton, Barbara E. Pimentel, Barbara Chapman, Frank L. Simonalle, Gene A. Simonalle, and Thomas Simonalle and many great nieces and nephews.
Fran grew up in Winthrop, Revere, and Bridgeport, Conn. and returned to Winthrop, where she met Ken at Deer Island Treatment Plant, marrying in 1973.
After moving to Peabody, she taught at the Lakeside School before she and Ken retired, joining their son Bill in Ohio.
A visiting hour will be held in the Maurice W. Kirby Funeral Home, 210 Winthrop St., Winthrop today, Thursday, December 7 from 10 to 11 a.m. followed by graveside services in Holyhood Cemetery, Brookline. Relatives and friends are invited.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity in Fran’s memory.
To sign Fran’s guestbook, please visit: ?www.mauricekirbyfh.com?.
Afaf Abdeltif Bassiouni
Devoted Mother and Grandmother
Afaf Abdelatif Bassiouni, 72, of Winthrop passed away on December 1, 2023.
Afaf was born on January 25, 1951 to Soad Zakaria and Abdelatif Mahmoud in Alexandria, Egypt. She married and came to the United States when she was 19. She received her Master’s Degree in Nuclear Engineering at Syracuse University, designed pipes for Shoreham Nuclear Plant in East Shoreham, NY, and later worked for Stone and Webster Engineering in Stoughton, MA.
She and her ex-husband started ATI Systems in 2009. Afaf went on to become the District Manager for Dunkin Donuts for New England.
Her absolute greatest love and joy were her granddaughters, Madison and Sky. She was a devoted grandmother and mother. Afaf loved the Red Sox and the Patriots. She enjoyed cooking and playing Bingo. Afaf had a great sense of humor and could be quite a character at times. She will be missed.
Afaf was predeceased by her parents and two siblings. She is survived by two brothers in Egypt, her granddaughters, Madison Miller and Sky Rodriguez and her daughter, Irene Rodriguez.
A gathering will be held to honor Afaf on Monday, December 11 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at The Elks Lodge in Winthrop.
Edwin Varley
September 28, 1927 – November 27, 2023
Edwin P. Varley, 96, of Madison, CT, loving husband of Barbara L. Varley, passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side on November 27.
Edwin grew up in Point Shirley and graduated from Winthrop High School in 1946. He held numerous jobs he truly enjoyed as a teenager. He told stories about his long “Coal Shoveling” days, while working at the Deer Island Water Treatment and “catching leather soles” right side, left side off the conveyor belts in Boston’s Leather District, for pennies. He also recalled coaxing the fishing trawlers to “Hey, can you throw me a cod fish, sir?” on Easter Sunday, dressed in his church clothes! He enlisted in the U.S. Navy before graduating from high school. He served with honor and pride in World War II and the Korean War.
After World War II, he earned his B.S. in mechanical engineering from Tufts College 1951, in MA through the V-12 Navy College Training Program.
He worked briefly for Goodyear Tire & Rubber in Akron, Ohio, then began his career in 1952 at Grain Dealers Mutual in Indianapolis, IN where he served as a Special Agent and Loss Prevention Engineer. He joined Industrial Risk Insurers in 1970 and retired in 1992.
After retirement, he spent time singing in barbershop quartets S.P.E.B.S.Q.U.A and in the City of the Elms Barbershop Chorus in New Haven. He also sang in the St. Margaret’s Church Choir for over 60 years as they commenced the weekend of JFK’s funeral in 1963. After a health scare in 1986, he began his rowing career and started competing in the C.R.A.S.H B’s in Boston for over 20 years. He also earned the title in 2002 of British Indoor Rowing Champion for 75-79 LWT division. He logged over 55 million meters. Those on the Shoreline all knew the quiet man constantly rowing.
He and Barbara travelled to Hawaii, Ireland, Bermuda, and wherever the families resided. Edwin and Barbara’s love of the water and beach led them to Madison, in 1956. They settled in Lee Manor Association, where they still had “Party Lines” and only an RFD for an address. A TRUE slice of heaven, where they led a steady, consistent life, surrounded by amazing families, friends and community. They established an incredible place for generations to flourish. Edwin carried himself with Dignity and Grace. He was a true gentleman, rarely seen today. He will be missed.
Edwin was born in Brighton, MA. on Sept. 28,1927. He was the oldest son of Edwin C. and Margaret E. Boughan Varley. He was predeceased by his only son, Paul Varley; grandson, Christopher Edwin Glisson and his sister, Pauline Frances V. Houhlihan. Edwin is survived by his loving wife, Barbara L. Varley, 95, of Madison, having shared over 70 years of blissful marriage. They shared a life like no other. They met while roller skating in Revere Beach at a Sadie Hawkins Skate. It was love at first sight for Edwin. The phrase opposites attract fits Barb and Ed perfectly. They are completely different in terms of personalities; however, they shared similar beliefs when it came to values, faith, fairness and consistency. A wonderful combination for raising a family.
Edwin is also survived by his daughters, Judith-Anne Varley, Barbara-Jean/Kevin Glisson, Mary-Patrice “Meb”/Robert Cusumano; grandsons: Matthew Varley, Timothy Joseph and Andrew Alexander Powaleny/partner Jessada Watanasunturnku, James Paul/Jennie Thibodaux and Joshua Michael Glisson; six great-grandchildren: Edwin John, Margaret Roy, Eli James of Louisiana, Christopher Lane, Jeffrey Cole and Caroline Beau Glisson of Georgia. He is also survived by his younger brother David A./Cecilia Varley of Virginia.
Edwin carried himself with Dignity and Grace. He was a true gentleman, rarely seen today. He will be missed. Calling hours were held from 11 to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2, at the Swan Funeral Home, 825 Boston Post Road, Madison, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 1 p.m. at St. Margaret’s Church, 24 Academy Road, Madison. Burial followed at West Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to Madison Ambulance Association, 9 Old Rte. 79, Madison, CT 04443. www.swanfuneralhomemadison.