Obituaries 03-03-2022

Laura DeNisco-Oliva

Graduate of Winthrop High School, Class of 1960

Laura (Johnson) DeNisco-Oliva of Beverly, formerly of Winthrop, passed away on February 25.

A graduate of Winthrop High School Class of 1960 and a 1961 Graduate of Fisher Jr. College, Boston, Laura was a beautiful person and will be greatly missed.

The daughter of the late Walter and Rhena Johnson, she was the devoted wife of the late James Oliva and Joseph DeNisco, partner of the late Michael Jennings of Beverly, loving sister of Walter Johnson of Alabama and dear friend of Dave Jennings and Mike Jennings, Jr. 

A funeral service was held in the Caggiano-O’Maley-Frazier Funeral Home on Wednesday, March 2. Rev. Christopher O’Connor celebrated the service and offered prayers at the interment in the Belle Isle section of Winthrop Cemetery.

To sign the online guestbook, go to www.caggianofuenralhome.com.

Robert Masterson, Sr.

Member of Winthrop Elks

Robert H. Masterson, Sr. of Winthrop passed away at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston on February 27. He was 89 years old.

Born in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, he was the beloved son of the late Fern (Morton) and Ben H. Masterson. He enlisted in the US Navy at an early age and after his honorable discharge he worked as an auditor for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development prior to his retirement. He was also a member of the Winthrop Lodge of Elks.

He was the loving father of Anne McInerney and her husband, Regis and Robert Masterson, Jr. and his wife Kathleen, all of Winthrop; dear brother of the late Paul Masterson and cherished grandfather of Cara McInerney and her partner, Travis of Georgia, Julie Salemme and her husband, William of Revere and Andrew McInerney and his wife, Kristen of Georgia and former husband of Kathleen T. Masterson (Oakes).

Family and friends are cordially invited to attend the visitation from the Caggiano-O’Maley-Frazier Funeral Home, Winthrop on Friday, March 4 from 5 to 7 p.m. The funeral will be conducted from the funeral home on Saturday, March 5 at 9 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass in St. John the Evangelist Church, 320 Winthrop St., Winthrop at 10:00 AM. Services will conclude with the interment in the Cross Street section of Winthrop Cemetery.

To sign the online guestbook, go to www.caggianofuneralhome.com.

Marion West

Retired Nurse

Marion E. West, 92, passed away Saturday, February 26 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers.

Born in Belgrade, ME, she was the daughter of the late John and Minna (Bradbury) Alexander and the wife of the late Raymond West, Sr.

Marion graduated from Sisters Hospital School of Nursing in 1950. She spent the next 45 years working at Boston area Hospitals retiring from Cambridge City Hospital where she worked in Labor and Delivery. She moved to Naples, Florida where she enjoyed traveling, reading and spending time with friends and family.

Marion is survived by three sons: John West and his wife, Ida of Stuart, VA, Raymond West, Jr. and his wife, Ellen Dragonetti of Beverly and Karl West of Buda, TX; one son-in-law, Steve Mastrangelo of Naples, FL; ten grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by one daughter, Debra Mastrangelo.

Visiting hours will be held at the Campbell Funeral Home, 525 Cabot Street, Beverly, Friday, March 4 from 4 to 7 p.m.

Contributions may be made in her name to the Alzheimer’s Association, 309 Waverly Oaks Road, Waltham, MA 02452.

Information, directions, condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com.

Patricia Hayes Keough

Known for Her Kindness, Warmth, Gentle Wit, and Appreciation for All Life Offered

Patricia Hayes Keough died peacefully at home February 19 surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Newark, New Jersey on May 27, 1924, Pat graduated from Montclair State

Teachers College high school and moved to New York City in 1941 to attend Barnard College and then the Columbia University – Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1946. 

Pat worked in New York City as a head nurse at Presbyterian Hospital and then in private practice for several years before marrying Edward W. Keough in1952. Pat and Ed settled in Winthrop and raised their six children.

Active in many children’s and local organizations, from Cub Scout Den Mother to the Parent Teacher Association, Pat devoted her time and energy to her family and community life. Pat served as a Town Meeting member, taught part-time in the Winthrop Hospital RN-diploma program, and was a long-time member of the Winthrop Historic Society.

A passionate reader and lifelong learner, Pat was active in efforts to maintain Winthrop Public Library and was a member of multiple book clubs, enjoying the comradery of her peers and the challenge of exploring different genres.

Pat enjoyed the many benefits of seaside living, and she maintained membership at Cottage Park Yacht Club, bowling with the Ladies League well into her late 80’s. As a loyal and proud graduate of Columbia University, Pat followed the innovations in nursing education and the nursing profession, donating her old uniforms to the Columbia Presbyterian Hospital archives in 2010.

Pat and Ed met on a cruise to Havana and once the kids were grown, they traveled extensively. Highlights include trips to Europe, the Baltic, Northern Africa, the Caribbean, East Asia, and an Alaskan cruise. They also enjoyed quiet time at the family camp in Brownfield Maine.

Pat was predeceased by her loving husband of fifty-two years, Edward W; her sister, Mary B. Hayes, her brother, Charles B Hayes, and sister, Ruth Kahl. She is survived by her children: Edward of Marblehead, Kathleen Adee of Marblehead, Charles and his wife, Nancy of Weston, John and his wife, Andrea of Brookline, James and his wife, Karen of Marblehead and Robert and his wife, Efrance of Winthrop. A cherished grandmother, she leaves ten adoring grandchildren: Myles Lafrance, Micailah, Nicole and Alexandra Adee, Alexander, Cameron and Beau Keough, Garret, Brooke and Shane Keough. She also leaves many nieces and nephews.

Known for her kindness, warmth, gentle wit, and appreciation for all life offered, Pat will be greatly missed by her many friends, and most especially by her beloved family. We can only give thanks for having had her in our lives for some many years, and take comfort in all the love she passed on to us.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, March 4 at 10 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church in Winthrop. Following the service, family and friends are invited to a reception at the home of Robert and Efrance Keough at 23 Thornton Park in Winthrop.

A Celebration of Life for Pat is planned for May, 2022. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Winthrop Public Library and the Columbia University School of Nursing Scholarship Fund.

Funeral arrangements are from the Maurice W. Kirby Funeral Home 210 Winthrop St. Winthrop.

To sign Patricia’s guestbook, please visit:          

www.mauricekirbyfh.com.

Rosemary Babcock

Retired Nurse — The World Is a Lesser Place Without Her in It

It is with profound sadness that the family of Rosemary (McAvoy) Babcock, a lifelong  resident of Winthrop, announces her passing on February 27 at the age of 65.

Rosemary was the beloved wife of Stephen M. Babcock. Born in Boston, she was the cherished daughter of the late Drs. Gerald F. and Evalyn R. (McIlhenny) McAvoy. Rosie started working as a Nurse’s Aide at Winthrop Community Hospital (WCH) at the age of 14, where she found her calling. A 1974 graduate of Winthrop High School, she went on to graduate as an LPN from the Nursing School at the Chelsea Soldier’s Home.  She was employed as a nurse at WCH for 17 years until its closure, and moved to extend her tender mercies at the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston for the next 29 years, until her retirement on November 1, 2021. 

Rosie was endowed with a truly generous spirit and a wicked and irreverent sense of humor, qualities that brought much joy to her friends, family and patients she served.  In addition to her family and her work, she loved shopping, the beach, reading mysteries, a cigarette, a glass of white wine and TAB. The world is a lesser place without her in it.

Rosie was the devoted mother of Brian J. Babcock and his wife, Dyan of Winthrop, Brittany A. Wigdor and her husband, Ryan of Wilmington and Janelle M. Babcock of South Boston. She was the adored grandmother of Catherine and Gregory Babcock and Riley Wigdor; the dear sister of Gerald F. McAvoy (Terry) of Delmar, NY, Roger F. McAvoy of Danvers, John W. McAvoy (Laurie) of Milton, VT and Carolyn M. Fiore (Tom) of Lexington. Rosie is also survived by several in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews and countless friends.

Visiting hours will be held in the Maurice W. Kirby Funeral Home, 210 Winthrop St., Winthrop on Saturday, March 5 from 9 to 11 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass in St. John the Evangelist Church-Winthrop at 11:30 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited. Interment will follow in Winthrop Cemetery (Belle Isle Section).

Donations in her name can be made to a charity of your choice.

For guestbook, please visit: mauricekirbyfh.com

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