By John Lynds
Marie A. “Jeanette” Ferrino
Marie A. “Jeanette” Ferrino, the late wife of the Honorable Judge Joseph Ferrino and a driving force in many East Boston and Winthrop organizations and social clubs, has died.
Mrs. Ferrino died at the Kaplan Family Hospice in Danvers on Saturday, August 27. She was 90 years old.
There’s an old saying “behind every great man is a great woman” and this saying comes to mind when reflecting on Mrs. Ferrino’s life as the longtime wife of Judge Ferrino and member of many organizations she and her husband held close to their hearts.
She was the constant companion to her husband and together they raised a family of four accomplished children, traveled the world, and were very involved in the community.
Mrs. Ferrino was born in Chelsea and was the daughter of the late Philomena (Panarese) and Minotto LeBruto. She graduated from Chelsea High School and later worked as an executive secretary for a greeting card company for several years.
However, it was Mrs. Ferrino’s dedication and service to many East Boston programs that she and her husband donated countless hours of their own time that made her a truly special woman in Eastie.
“Mrs. Marie “Jeanette” Ferrino was a lovely, sophisticated woman, always generous, kind and caring,” said former Kiwanis Club of East Boston President Marisa DiPietro. “Jeanette was always stylish and graceful, attending many functions of the Kiwanis Club of East Boston, the Bay State Chapter of Freedoms Foundation, the Dante Alighieri Society, the Justinian Law Society, to name just a few. From the moment I first met Jeanette, more than a dozen years ago, it was a pleasure being in her company. She always had a ready smile, a kind word, and a warm and gentle manner. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. My thoughts and prayers are with the Ferrino family as they mourn the loss of this wonderful woman.”
Like her husband, Judge Ferrino, Mrs. Ferrino was a life member of the Freedoms Foundation, life member of the Dante Alighieri Society, member of St. Catherine’s Lodge of Independent Order of Son’s of Italy, Alumni member of Chelsea High School, student of East Boston Social Centers and a student at the Museum of Fine Arts.
She also loved dancing, travel, art and sewing.
“She was always directly involved in helping her husband, particularly when they created the Baystate Chapter of Freedoms Foundation 34 years ago,” said current President of the Bay State Chapter of the Freedoms Foundation, Dr. Matt Mallen. “It is now one of 31 Chapters nationwide. The Ferrinos created it from the ground up. Now there are near 200 members. In the past 34 years we have sent over 300 high students to the National campus in Valley Forge, PA for a four day Youth Leadership conference. George Washington Honor medals have been awarded to approximately 200 deserving individuals and organizations for community service and patriotism. We fund and maintain a Massachusetts section of the Medal of Honor Grove at Valley Forge. This memorializes those from our state who received our nation’s highest military honor.”
Mallen added that Mrs. Ferrino was integral in the success of the organization and without her support the Baystate Chapter would not have flourished.
 She was the wife of the Honorable Joseph V. Ferrino, Sr. and the mother of Joseph V. Ferrino, Jr. of Winthrop, Joanne Zahrobsky and her husband COL Joseph USAF (retired) of Tampa, Florida, Paula Fosa of Winthrop and Richard Ferrino and his wife Rhonda of Winthrop. Sister of Celeste Chabonnier of San Antonio, Texas. Grandmother of Christopher, Vincent, Joseph, Nicholas, Joseph, Nicole, Dillon, Richard, Jr. and Michael. Great grandmother of Madison Hope and Austin J.