Mary ‘Sally’ Christianson
Of Waban, formerly of Winthrop
Mary “Sally†(Amari) Christianson of Waban and formerly of East Boston and Winthrop died on November 9.
She was the beloved wife of the late James A. “Bud†Christianson whom she married on March 22, 1947; loving mother of Mark R. Christianson and his wife, Mardith J. of Olney, MD; cherished grandmother of Andrew J. and Caroline N. Christianson, both of Olney, MD; dear sister of Dawn DeLollis and her husband, Leo of Waban and the late Peter Amari.
Burial will be at a later date in Winthrop Cemetery, Winthrop. For online condolences, please visit www.rapinomemorialhome.com.
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Paul Giardina, Sr.
Machinist and Italian American Club Member
Paul J. Giardina, Sr. of East Boston died on November 10.
A member of the Italian American Club and a Local 33 Machinist, he was the beloved husband of more than 54 years to Margaret (Tedesco) Giardina, the devoted father of Paul, Jr and his wife, Linda of East Boston, Donna Knight and her former husband, Edward of Everett and the late Vincent, Sr. He was predeceased by eight brothers and three sisters and was the cherished grandfather of eight grandchildren and the late Vincent, Jr and four great grandchildren. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements were by the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, (Orient Heights) East Boston. Burial was in Holy Cross Cemetery. For more information please visit www.ruggieromh.com.
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Audrey Lee Brown Avelar
Her motto was “Never Give Up!â€
Audrey Lee Brown Avelar (August 19, 1966 to November 10, 2012) was diagnosed with lymphoma cancer at the age of 15 and was in remission at age 16. She was diagnosed with lymphoma again at the age of 20 which resulted in a lobectomy. She never lost her spirit and still continued to fight on! But fate was not done with her just yet.
At age 32 when diagnosed with Diabetes, Neuropathy and Multiple Sclerosis, she spent six months at Spaulding Rehab where she was unable to walk. But her persistence and strong spirit helped her bounce back to health.
Now, after a valiant 30 year fight with medical problems, she was defeated by congestive heart failure on November 10.
She was the cherished daughter of Patricia (Small) Brown and the late Thomas Gillespie; the most precious mother and confidant of Dennis Colantonio, Tomas Avelar and Samantha Brown; the sister of Samuel “Buddy†Brown and Andrew Kozlowski and the grand daughter of the late Eleanor (Carslon) Small and Samuel ‘Skin ‘Em Up†Small. She was a member of the massive (Small) family of which there are more than 150 people. She survived with the love of her only granddaughter, Kailey Aaliyah “I love you with my best heart.! Audrey’s motto was “Never give up.â€
Any donations to preserve Audrey’s memory can be sent to the East Boston Savings Bank c/o the Audrey Avelar Fund.
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Mary DeLeo
Department of Corporations & Taxation Retiree
Mary J. (Coscia) DeLeo of Revere, formerly of Orient Heights, East Boston, died on November 9 following a brief illness. She was 95 years old.
Mrs. DeLeo was born and raised in East Boston and lived in Orient Heights East Boston for most of her life until moving to Revere in 1967. She was a graduate of East Boston High School, Class of 1935 and retired from the Department of Corporations & Taxation in Boston in 1962 after 10 years of service.
She married Anthony S. DeLeo in 1940. He died in July of 1967. She was the devoted mother of Virginia E. “Ginger” Selver and her husband, Malcolm of Ft. Lee, NJ, Marie A. Martino and her husband, Patrick G., and Diane J. Jones and her late husband, Clifford S., all of Revere, and Anthony S. DeLeo and his wife, Lisa M. of Lynnfield; cherished grandmother of Stephen C. Selver and his wife, Meri of Tenafly, NJ, Natasha S. Vaquer and her husband, Oliver of Los Angeles, CA, Brittany A. and Taylor A. DeLeo, both of Lynnfield and is also lovingly survived by two great-grandchildren, Max A. and Ava R. Selver and several nieces and nephews. She was the dear sister of the late Carmella Follo, Frederick Coscia, Josephine Giuffre, Rachel Nargi and Rica DiFillippo.
Funeral arrangements were by the Vetuccio & Smith Home for Funerals, Revere. Burial was in St. Michael Cemetery, Boston. For more information, please visit: www.vertuccioandsmith.com.
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Mary Martin
SS Pierce Retiree
Mary E. (Barbarosa) Martin of Winthrop, formerly of East Boston, died on November 9 after a long illness. She was 93 years old.
Born and raised in East Boston, she was a 1936 graduate of East Boston High School. She retired after 25 years of a long and varied career as a manager and supervisor with SS Pierce & Co. of Boston, one of Boston’s premier grocery and produce suppliers.
She lived in East Boston all her life until June of 1979 when she and her husband, the late William H. Martin, Jr., returned to Mr. Martin’s home in Columbus, Ohio. He died in 1994 and she remained in Ohio until 2001 when she returned to Massachusetts and settled in Winthrop. She spent her last 11 years in Winthrop where she was exceedingly happy and had many many friends and acquaintances.
She was the devoted mother of Susan A. Winn and her husband, Joseph M. of East Boston and the late William H. Martin, III; adored grandmother of Melissa J. Fortune and her husband, David of Amesbury, Lynn M. Orlando and her partner, Lawrence Nestor of Danvers, Janice L. Moreth and her husband, Craig E. Russell of Winthrop and William M. Winn and his companion, Annie Quinlan of East Boston; beloved great grandmother of Kristina M. Stoico and her fiancé, Adam Veinott of West Boylston, Michael K. Slattery of Nottingham, NH, Briana L. Ferullo of Amesbury, Collin M. Lewis of Winthrop, Joseph W. and Leah A. Winn, both of East Boston and is also lovingly survived by her great great grandson, Luke M. Oberlin, many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews. She was the dear sister of the late Celia D’Christoforo, Delphine Barannco, Evelyn Hembrough, Theodore, Leo, Raymond, Louis and John Barbarosa.
Funeral arrangements were by the Vertuccio & Smith Home for Funerals, Revere. Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital , PO Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38101-9908. For more information visit: www.vertuccioandsmith.com.
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Lillian Ahern
Of Winthrop, formerly of Charlestown
Lillian I. (Schena)Â Ahern of Winthrop, formerly of Charlestown, passed away at her residence on November 5. She was 93 years old.
The beloved wife of the late James R. Ahern, she was born in Boston, the daughter of the late Charles J. and Irene (Gallagher) Schena. She was the devoted mother of Judith Nichols of Exeter, NH, James Ahern and his wife, Ida of Marblehead and Geraldine Magnasco and her husband, James of Winthrop; adored grandmother of nine and great-grandmother of 16.
Funeral arrangements were by the Maurice W. Kirby Funeral Home, Winthrop. Burial was in Winthrop Cemetery. Donations can be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society/Greater New England Chapter 101a First Ave. Ste 6, Waltham, MA. 02451. For guestbook, visit www.mauricekirbyfh.com.
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Heidi Lynne Ashton
Of Maine, formerly of Winthrop
Heidi Lynne (Ginsberg) Ashton died at the Maine Medical Center after a long illness.
She received her BA in Psychology and French from Duke University and her MS from Washington University. She was employed by Marden’s in Scarborough, where she was a hard worker and very well-liked by customers and co-workers. She did volunteer work at Maine Medical Center and also worked for Ingraham, at the hotline facility in Portland, Maine.   She was a joy to her friends and family and will be greatly missed.
Born in Winthrop in 1956, she was the daughter of Irving and Janet Ginsberg and is survived by two brothers, her son, David and her husband, Alan.
Arrangements were by the Chevra Kadisha Funeral Home, Portland, Maine. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to The Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland, PO Box 336, Westbrook, ME 04098-0336.
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Barbara Fischler
Of Winthrop and Westwood
Barbara (Tanar) Fischler of Winthrop and Westwood died on November 6. She was 69 years old.
She was the beloved wife of the late Harvey E. Fischler; dear daughter of the late Harry and Natalie Tanar; devoted mother of Melissa Fischler Hed and her husband, Nevo Hed of Westwood; cherished grandmother of Ella and Shelly Hed of Westwood; loving sister of the late June Eisenberg and Deborah Blumer.
Services were held on November 8 at Temple Beth David, Westwood.. Expressions of sympathy in her memory may be made to Temple Beth David, 7 Clapboardtree Street, Westwood, MA 02090.
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Vincent Dattoli, Jr.
Of Billerica, formerly of East Boston
Vincent A. Dattoli, Jr. of Billerica, formerly of East Boston, died on November 12.
A US Army veteran of the Korean War, he was the beloved companion for more than 32 years to Lillian Sicari; loving father of Vincent J. Dattoli of Medford, Leanne Carbone of West Peabody, Rico Dattoli of Florida, Daniel Sicari and his wife, Colleen of Billerica and Nicole Dresser and her husband, Christopher; dear brother of Rose Vaccaro of Winthrop; fond uncle of Grace, Roseann and James Vaccaro and also leaves many grandchildren.
His Funeral will be held from Vazza’s “Beechwood†Funeral Home, 262 Beach St., Revere on Friday morning at 8 a.m. Family and friends may visit today, Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery. For directions and guest book: www.vazzafunerals.com.