Obituaries 03-30-2023

Josephine Massa

She Will Be Remembered as a Loving Wife, Mother, Sister and Friend

Josephine M. Massa passed away peacefully on March 24 with her family by her side. She was 93 years old. She was affectionately known by her family and friends as “Jo.”

Jo was born in Somerville and raised in Winthrop with her love for the coast and her large Massa family. She spent much of her youth on Shore Drive in Winthrop with her seven siblings: Franny, Louie, Mike, John, Guy, Sal and Billy, her

loving father and mother (Ralph and Anna Massa) dedicated “Massa Playground” many years ago as a safe place for all of their children to play and for all Winthrop families to enjoy even today.

She was pre-deceased by her son, Jimmy and her ex-husband of 46 years, Bart Borriello. They raised three children: Patty Reed, Jimmy Borriello “Boris” and Mary George-Robson. Some of her happiest moments werespent with her five grandchildren: Danielle Reed, Nicolle Reed, Noelle George, James Borriello and Bart Borriello and two great grandchildren, Isabelle Reed and Bentley Reed. She was their “Nona Jo”.

She has been a Bradenton, Florida resident for over 30 years now but Winthrop will always be her home.

The family will have a celebration of life at a later date. For on line condolences please visit https://www.allvetsallfamiliesfh.com.

Linda Marsh

Of Methuen, formerly of Winthrop

Linda E. Marsh of Methuen, formerly of Winthrop, passed away unexpectedly on March 4. She was 65 years old.

Born in Winthrop, she was the cherished daughter of the late Richard and Doris (Frasier) Marsh.

Prior to her retirement, Linda worked for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in accounting administration.

Linda was the dear sister of Susan Skobeleff and her husband, Stephen of Winthrop, Kenneth Marsh of California. and the late Karen (Marsh) Kearns and her surviving dear friend Raymond Towsley Jr. of Campton, NH. She was the loving aunt of Samantha and Matthew Skobeleff of Winthrop.

A graveside service will be held in the Winthrop Cemetery, at the family lot, on Tuesday, April 4 at 10:30 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited. Funeral arrangements are from the Maurice W. Kirby Funeral Home, 210 Winthrop St., Winthrop.

To sign Linda’s guestbook, please visit: www.mauricekirbyfh.com

Carol Lee Pepi

Retired Professor, Department Chair of Human Services and Justice Studies at Cambridge College for Over 25 years and Founder of the First Juvenile Justice Program in the Country

Carol Lee (O’Hara) Pepi, 76, of Winthrop passed away on March 24 in her home, surrounded by family following a brief illness. Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend a Funeral Mass on Saturday, April 1 at 11:30 a.m. in St. Michael the Archangel Parish, 320 Winthrop Street, Winthrop. Interment in Winthrop Belle Isle Cemetery and a lunch reception at The Lodge of Elks to immediately follow.

Carol was born on November 20, 1946 in Boston to her late parents, James E. O’Hara, Sr. and Dorothy M. (Breault) O’Hara. She was one of seven children raised and educated in East Boston and was a graduate of Fitton High School, Class of 1964.

Carol studied Pastoral Ministry at Emanuel College, then later earned a Master of Education degree in Counseling Psychology at Cambridge College. She also attended Union Institute & University for Doctoral Studies in Social Psychology.

Carol was a Professor and Department Chair of Human Services and Justice Studies at Cambridge College for over 25 years and founded the first Juvenile Justice program in the country. She would often say she had the privilege of teaching the most wonderful adult students anywhere.

Carol was a life-long human rights activist and peacemaker, traveling to colleges, schools and professional conferences throughout the United States, Australia, and Washington D.C. to speak on topics of juvenile justice, prison reform, restorative justice and the abolition of the death penalty.

The beloved wife of Gerald A. Pepi of Winthrop, she was the loving mother of Jennifer R. D. Pepi and her husband, the late Gregory Lewis of Winthrop, Rachel J. Williams and her husband, Walter A. of Brockton, Alicyn J. Thompson and her husband, Christopher L. of Winthrop and the late Joshua W.J. Pepi; the cherished and proud grandmother of Zoe, Joey, Michaela, Toni-Rae, Chelsea, Tory, Tess and Layne and great grandmother of Masen; the dear sister of Leona M. Orlando and her  husband, John of Revere, Patricia A. D’Addario and her fiancé, Joseph DiGenio of Newmarket, NH and the late Kevin P. O’Hara, Sr., Dorothy M. McGrath, Richard F. O’Hara and James E. O’Hara, Jr. She is also lovingly survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Appalachian Prison Book Project, P.O. Box 601, Morgantown, WV 26507 or by visiting www.appalachianprisonbookproject.org   For online guest book, please visit www.vertucciosmithvazza.com. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care and direction of the Vertuccio, Smith & Vazza, Beechwood Home for Funerals, Revere.

Frances Spinazzola

Of New Hampshire, formerly of Winthrop

Frances A. (Ruggiero) Spinazzola of Pelham, New Hampshire, formerly of Winthrop, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 21 at 75 years of age.

The devoted mother of Lori Hartley and her husband, Anthony of Pelham, she was the loving daughter of the late John Ruggiero and his wife, Vincenzina “Vinny” (Cannata), dear sister of Janet Macrina and the late Joseph Ruggiero and cherished grandmother of Brett Ashley Hartman. She is also survived by her loving aunt, nieces and nephews. 

Family and friends will honor Frances’s life by gathering at the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, 971 Saratoga Street, (Orient Heights) East Boston, on Friday, March 31 from 3 to 7 p.m. and again on Saturday morning at 8:30 before leaving in procession to St. John the Evangelist – St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Winthrop for a Funeral Mass celebrating Frances’s life at 10 a.m. Services will conclude with Frances being laid to rest at Winthrop Cemetery, Belle Isle Section. May she rest in peace. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.ruggieromh.com

Eleanor Brooks

Loving Mother, Wife and Friend

We are sad to announce the passing of Eleanor L. Brooks on Monday, March 27 at the age of 89. “Elly” will join her beloved husband and best friend, Barry of almost 69  years. Elly was born in Boston, daughter of Solomon and Annie Levine and was raised in  Roxbury with her siblings, Daniel and Irene. She graduated from Jeremiah E. Burke H.S. in Dorchester. Elly lived in Chicago while her husband Barry was in dental school and later the Army Dental Corps. While in Chicago, she worked in a local dental office as an assistant and later alongside Barry at Brooks Dental. In 1959, Elly and Barry moved to Winthrop to raise their family of six children. Elly was a longtime member of Temple Tifereth Israel of Winthrop and a devoted supporter of the Hadassah organization. Her favorite thing to do was to spend time with family, including ski trips to the New Hampshire house, summers at the Cape and countless gatherings for “dinner at the house.” Most importantly Elly was a loving mother, wife, and friend. She had a wonderful sense of humor, was always generous with her time and was a source of strength for family and friends. She leaves the family she loved so much and meant the world to her: Richard Brooks and his wife, Amy of Canton, Lisa Giller and her husband, Steven of Peabody, Howard Brooks and his wife, Debra of Marblehead, Karen Chinitz and her husband, Michael of Newton, Daniel Brooks and his wife, Karen of Charlotte N.C., and Adam Brooks of Charlotte N.C. She also leaves her 16 cherished grandchildren: Matthew Brooks, Alex Brooks, Lauren Anno and husband, Devin, Joshua Giller and partner, Tonia, David Brooks and husband, Thiago, Stephanie Brooks and fiancé, Juan, Leah Brooks and partner, Matt, Taylor Chinitz and partner, Matt, Daniella Chinitz and partner, Nick, Francesca Chinitz, Robert Brooks and fiancé Haleigh, Jonathan Brooks, Harrison Brooks, Kaylie Brooks, Talia Brooks, Eliana Brooks and two great grandchildren, Avery and Lyla Anno. Elly was pre-deceased by her sister, Irene and her brother, Daniel Levine. A graveside service will be held at Sons of Abraham Cemetery, 776 Baker Street, West Roxbury on Friday, March 31 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at www.TaylorChinitzForLLS.com