Obituaries 10-27-2011

Col. Dorothy Chambers 

Retired US Army nurse

Dorothy E., (Hughes) Colonel, ANC

USAR (Retired) died in Melrose on February 7, 2011.

Born in East Boston in 1919, the daughter of Richard O. and Emma L. (Thurston) Hughes, after her early education in Winthrop schools, she earned a B.S. degree in nursing from Simmons College School of Nursing, Boston in 1941. From 1941 until 1945 she was a public health nurse with the Visiting Nurses Service of New York and a part time clinic nurse at International House, a “safe space” for international students in New York seeking to further their education.

Awarded an M.A. degree in teaching from Columbia University in 1945, she was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Army of the United States in June of that year for assignment to the Army Nurse Corps (ANC). Stateside nursing supervisory and teaching duty, including at Camp Edwards, Mass and also served as an ANC representative to the New Hampshire War Finance Council. In the Eighth War Loan Drive she was a speaker representing the ANC on radio and frequently spoke at school and civic group demonstrations.

Fifteen months overseas duty followed with the U.S. Army of the Occupation in Europe. Arriving at heavily bombed Allied liberated Naples in December, 1945 she journeyed northward to witness many unforgettable agonies of wartime devastation and occupation. Orthopedic, maternity, contagious disease, neuro-psychiatric, surgical and general nursing and ANC cadet supervision and training were included in her tours of duty at the 61st Station, Livorno and 391st Station Undine, Italy.

After World War II, she resumed military nursing with the Army Reserve. Having attained the rank of Colonel, her service career concluded in the mid 1970’s by retirement as a staff nurse at the South Boston Naval Annex.

Upon separation from active service in 1947, she returned home to help care for her gravely ill father. After a 1964 marriage ended, she lived independently in the family home at 97 Woodside Avenue, Winthrop until 2008.

She was the devoted friend of the late Tygrve “Ted” Torgersen and is survived by a first cousin, The Rev. John B. Davis, Pastor of Indian Creek Baptist Church, Mill Run, PA, and several other extended family members.

In accord with her wishes, she was privately placed to rest with her parents in Winthrop Cemetery. Memorials in her name may be made to the First Church, United Methodist, 217 Winthrop Street, Winthrop, MA 02152 or the MSPCA.

Edith Geissler 

Everett resident

Edith L. (Nicholls) Geissler of Everett, formerly of Malden, died on October 24. She was 90 years old.

She was the beloved wife of the late Alden Geissler; loving mother of Priscilla Holmes of West Boylston, Roy Geissler and his wife, Bonnie of Winthrop, William Geissler and his wife, Ann of Maplewood, NJ, and the late Donald Geissler; cherished grandmother of Jennifer Griffin, Kimberly Carelli, Clifton, Lauren, and Christopher Geissler and cherished great grandmother of Molly and Payton. She was the sister of six late siblings.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend a visitation at the JF Ward Funeral Home, 772 Broadway, Everett on Saturday, October 29 at 10 a.m. followed by a funeral service in the funeral home at 11 a.m. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society , 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701. For directions and online guest book visit jfwardfuneralhome.com.

Eleanora Fiandaca 

Winthrop resident

Eleanora M. “Nora” (Cappuccio) Fiandaca of Winthrop, formerly of Everett and East Boston, died on October 24 at the Massachusetts General Hospital. She was 85 years old.

She was the beloved wife of the late Joseph A. Fiandaca; devoted mother of Joseph A. Jr. and his wife, Denise of Framingham, Robert J. and his wife, Janet Lee of Kentucky, Kenneth C. and his former wife, Sally of Winthrop, Ellen Fiandaca and her companion, Arthur of Revere, JoAnn Richardson and her husband, George of Los Gatos, California and Nancy Fiandaca of Winthrop; cherished grandmother of Carlie Jo Richardson, Danielle Fiandaca, George Richardson III, Kenneth C. Fiandaca Jr. and Ashly Fiandaca. She is also survived by her beloved Fruppy TC. She was the daughter of the late Nicholas and Matilde (Cirillo) Cappuccio

Heartfelt thanks is extended to Dr. Richard Ress at the New England Baptist Hospital and his associate Mary Lee.

Funeral arrangements were by the Paul Buonfiglio & Son-Bruno Funeral Home, Revere. Donations in her name may be made to: St. Joseph’s Indian School, 1301 N. Main Street, Chamberlain, SD 57325. For guestbook please visit www.Buonfiglio.com.

Stephen Douglas, Sr. 

MWRA retiree

Stephen L. Douglas Sr. of Winthrop died at home on October 23 after a prolonged illness. He was 67 years old.

A native of Maine for many years, he enlisted in the US Air Force in 1962 and was a member of the Strategic Air Command. He was discharged from the Air Force in 1966 and went on to the Massachusetts National Guard 972nd Military Police Co. from 1977 to 1990. He was a security supervisor for the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority at Deer Island until his retirement.

Mr. Douglas loved hunting, camping and reading and was especially interested in the American Civil War. He was also a Boy Scout leader for Troop 78, Winthrop from 1986 to 1990.

Born in Rockland, Maine, he was the beloved son of the late Barbara L. (Strout) and Neal F. “Dan” Douglas Sr;  the beloved husband of Carol M. (Lawler) and the loving father of Bonnie J. Douglas-Kelley and her husband, Gene F. of Winthrop and Stephen L. Douglas Jr. and his wife, Sarah J. of North Carolina and the dear brother of Sharon J. Spaulding of Rockland, Maine and the late Neal F. Douglas Jr. He was the cherished grandfather of Owen D. and Jillian G. Kelley and Daniel K., Ethan C. and Riley E. Douglas.

Family and friends are cordially invited to attend an informal gathering in honor and remembrance of his life at the Ernest P. Caggiano and Son-O’Maley Funeral Home, 147 Winthrop St., Winthrop on Tuesday, November 1 from 4 to 7 p.m. A tribute service will be held at 7 p.m. that evening. Memorial Donations may be made to VNA Hospice Care 100 Sylvan Rd., Woburn, MA 01801 or to Caring Bridge, Donation Processing Center PO Box 6032, Albert Lea MN 56007-6632.

Gale Smith 

Member of Winthrop Yacht Club and Winthrop Elks

Gale M. Smith of Ocean Avenue, Winthrop died at the Lighthouse Nursing Center in Revere after a long illness on October 22. She was 72 years old.

Born in Winthrop and a Winthrop resident for more than 50 years, she was the beloved daughter of the late Joan (McCabe) and Francis D’Addario. She was employed as a secretary for Brown Bros. for many years and was also a member of the Winthrop Yacht Club and the Winthrop Lodge of Elks.

She was the loving mother of Christopher Smith of Salem and the dear sister of Robert of New Jersey, Debbie of Florida, Kevin Gilmore of Arizona and Jimmy Iavaldi of California.

Funeral services were held at the Ernest P. Caggiano-O’Maley Funeral Home, Winthrop with the Rev. Peter Graziano celebrating the service and offering prayers at the committal in the Belle Isle section of Winthrop Cemetery. To sign the online guestbook please go to www.caggianofuneralhome.com.

Francis Kearns 

Jeveli’s Restaurant bartending manager

Francis J. “Sandy” Kearns, a lifelong resident of Winthrop, died at the Coolidge House in Brookline on October 22 after a sudden illness. He was 56 years old.

Born in Winthrop, he was the beloved son of the late Catherine (Collins) and Edward J. Kearns. He was a 1973 graduate of Winthrop High School where he was the President of his class for all four years and was the Viking mascot during sporting events. He went on to graduate from Boston College in 1977 as a political science major. After college he became a school teacher and then went on to become the bartending manager at Jeveli’s Restaurant in East Boston.

“Sandy” had a great love for the game of golf and horse racing. He would travel to Saratoga yearly and would even take trips to the Breeder’s Cup.

He was the loving father of Jennifer Kearns of East Boston, Stephanie Tuscano of Salem, NH, Nicole Capone of East Boston and Nicholas Fanandakis of Winthrop; the dear brother of Edward Kearns of North Carolina, Maureen Kearns of Boston, Kathleen Horgan of Middleton, Eileen Kearns of Florida, Coleen Kearns of New Hampshire, Christine McCarty of Connecticut, Patricia Guay of North Carolina and Michael Kearns of Pennsylvania; the cherished grandfather of Nicholas, Gianni, Nicholas and David.

Family and friends are cordially invited to attend the visitation from the Ernest P. Caggiano-O’Maley Funeral Home, 147 Winthrop St., Winthrop today, Thursday, October 27 from 4 to 7 p.m. A funeral service will be held in the funeral home at 7 p.m. this evening. For directions, memorial donations or to sign the online guestbook go to www.caggianofuneralhome.com.

Elizabeth Young 

Winthrop resident

Elizabeth M. (Unis) “Liz” Young of Winthrop, formerly of the South End, died on October 21. She was 81 years old.

She was the devoted mother of Theresa Young of Winthrop, Joseph of Winthrop, Christopher and his wife, Maria of Boston and Deborah Young of Winthrop; cherished sister of Theresa Nassif of Winthrop and the late Earl Unis; loving sister-in-law of Sally Unis and is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Funeral arrangements were by the Carroll-Thomas Funeral Home, Hyde Park. Burial was at Mount Benedict Cemetery. Memorial donations can be made to “Bigelow 7 Nursing Fund”, c/o Adele Keeley, Mass. General Hospital, 55 Fruit St., Boston 02114. For guestbook, please visit thomasfuneralhomes.com.

Annetta Romano 

Retired Nurse

Annetta L. “Netta” Romano of Orient Heights, East Boston, died on October 20. She was 87 years old.

She was a graduate of Boston City Hospital Nursing School and a retired Boston City Hospital employee with 35 years of service. A leader in many organizations, she enjoyed spending time with her family and so many wonderful friends. She will be greatly missed by all those she touched.

She was the daughter of the late Philip and Anna (Greco) Romano; beloved sister of Irene Marcucci and her husband, Ben of Winthrop, Philip Romano of East Boston and the late Virginia Cotter and Louis Romano; sister in law of Mary Romano of East Boston; cherished aunt of Michele Wilson and her husband, Robert of Winthrop, LuAnn Arciero and her husband, Thomas of East Boston, Paula Duggan and her husband, Thomas of Bradford and the late Michael Marcucci; great aunt of Ashley, Krysta, Courtney and Jason.

Funeral arrangements were by the Porcella Funeral Home, (Beachmont) Revere. Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. Memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice. For condolences:  www.BisbeePorcella.com.

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