Barbara Melvin-Broman
October 10, 1941 – February 28, 2021
Barbara N. (Doncaster) Melvin-Broman, 79, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 28 after a brief illness.
Born in Boston, a beloved daughter of the late Thomas and Nellie (Nemerowski) Doncaster, she was raised in Chelsea and was a lifelong resident here. Barbara attended St. Stanislaus Parochial School and graduated from Chelsea High School, Class of ntinued her education at Northeastern University graduating Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree in accounting and business administration. She worked for 35 years as the lead accountant for US Gypsum in Charlestown, retiring in 2003.
She was a lifelong parishioner of the former St. Stanislaus Parish in Chelsea and was an active member at the Chelsea Senior Center. Barbara enjoyed her three “B’s” – bowling, bingo and bocce. She attended many socials at the Senior Center and the PAV in Chelsea and also enjoyed sewing, quilting and family camping.
Three years ago, Barbara was widowed with the passing of her beloved husband of 46 years, the late Charles R. Melvin. She was the devoted mother of Theresa N. Rosati and her husband, Anthony of Wells, ME, CPD Officer Timothy T. Broman, Sr. and his wife. Angela of Wilmington; cherished grandmother of CPD Dispatcher, Zachary T. Broman and his wife, Jasmine of Wilmington, Timothy T. Broman, Jr. of No. Reading, and CPD Officer Thomas M. Broman of Chelsea and the adored great-grandmother of Logan and Lillian Broman; the dear sister of Richard Doncaster and his wife, Elizabeth of Cape Cod, Nellie Grzynbinski and her late husband, Leonard of Tewksbury and Dianne Varone and her husband, Patrick of Revere. She is also survived by her lifelong friend Ann Manning, many cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.
Her funeral will begin at the Welsh Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea on Friday, March 5 at 9 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Grace Church, 59 Nichols St. Chelsea at 10 a.m.
All attendees are required to provide contact information, wear face coverings and practice physical distancing while in church attending Mass.
Services will conclude with interment at Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody.
Should friends desire, contributions in her memory should be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Mass. General Hospital Cancer Research, 125 Nashua St., Ste 540, Boston, MA 02114.
We encourage family and friends who wish, to offer condolences at this time by means of the online guest book or to send a personalized sympathy card visit: www.WelshFH.com.
Lynda McConaghy
Chelsea Soldiers Home retiree
Lynda M. McConaghy, 71 of Saugus died on February 27.
Lynda was employed by the State of Massachusetts and worked at the Soldiers Home in Chelsea for most of her adult life, taking time in between years to raise her daughter.
She was the mother of Erin Selvitella and her husband, Michael of Lynnfield, sister of Russell Chafe of Chelsea and the late Fredrick Chafe, Paul Chafe of Saugus and Bettyanne Mecheski and her husband, Tim of Henniker, NH and the daughter of the late George “Russ” and Elizabeth “Betty” Chafe. She is also survived by many extended family and friends.
Arrangements are by Mann & Rodgers Funeral Home , Jamaica Plain. Due to Covid restrictions the family has decided to keep services private.
Donations may be made in loving memory of Lynda to support the needs of students at Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational School facing financial hardship. Checks may be sent to: Northeast Metro Tech Student Benefit Fund,100 Hemlock Road, Wakefield, MA 01880
Phyllis Marie Perlatonda
Mother of former Chelsea City Councilor
Phyllis Marie (Sorrentino) Perlatonda, 90, of Watertown passed away peacefully on February 25 surrounded by her loving family.
The devoted mother of Joseph Perlatonda, a former Chelsea City Councilor and his husband, Jay, she was the loving wife of the late Joseph J. “Pepi” Perlatonda, Sr., dear sister of Catherine M. Sorrentino, loving daughter of the late Dominic and Mabel Sorrentino and sister of the late Peter Sorrentino. She is also survived by her son, Paul and daughters Marie and Lisa.
Phyllis was a retired employee of Harvard University. She was dedicated to others and involved in many organizations that would help people other than herself. She was a member of the Sons of Italy Lady’s Lodge (Cornelia dei Gracci) Watertown, the Santa Lucia Society Cambridge, and also the Ladies Sodality Sacred Heart Church Watertown. Phyllis was an admirable mother first and foremost, she treasured her children and embraced every chance and moment she could with them.
She was one of those hard-working mothers who loved to spend time with family and friends. Phyllis loved to go out to eat and travel with her husband whenever they had the chance. She and Pepi were inseparable, especially when it came to dancing at social events. Everyone who knew and loved her will miss her smile and vivacious personality.
John Alesio Perrella Jr.
MBTA retiree
John Alesio Perrella, Jr., lifelong resident of Revere, died on February 24 surrounded by his loving family at the age of 71.
John relished the time he spent with his family and would do anything for them. He was a driver and collector for the M.B.T.A. before his retirement. John enjoyed the countless trips he took with his friends on his Harley Davidson. He will be truly missed by all who knew him.
Born in Revere on April 30, 1949 to Marie (Frongillo) of Revere and the late John Perrella, he was the beloved husband of 36 years to the late Janis (Wood). John has spent the last 12 years with his partner, Diane Selvitella. He was the devoted father of Lori Farrington of Connecticut, Leanne Perrella and her fiancé, Robert Pagliarulo of New Hampshire, Anthony Perrella and his fiancé, Michelle Onessimo of Revere and the late John Perrella III; dear brother of Janice Modica of East Boston and Kenneth Perrella and his wife, Nancy of Revere and the cherished grandfather of 10. He is also survived by many loving aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons-Bruno Funeral Home, Revere. Interment was in Woodlawn Cemetery. For guest book, please visit www.buonfiglio.com.
Edward DeMauro
Of Revere
Edward DeMauro of Revere died on February 26 at the age of 81.
Edward proudly served his country in the United States Army.
Born in Boston on June 7, 1939 to the late Vincent and Jenny (Chiota), he was the beloved husband for 59 years to Monica (Buettner), devoted father of Edward DeMauro and his wife, Michelle of Revere and Lauren Wilson and her husband, William of Saugus and formerly of Revere; cherished grandfather of Olivia DeMauro and brother of Robert DeMauro, Jean Allen and the late Jimmy DeMauro. He is also survived by many dear friends.
A visitation will be held at the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons-Bruno Funeral Home, 128 Revere St, Revere on Thursday March 4 from 9 to 11 a.m. followed by a Prayer Service at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are kindly invited and masks and social distancing are required while in the funeral home. We ask that you keep your visit brief to allow others to pay their respects to the family. Interment will be held at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne at 1:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Northeast Animal Shelter, 347 Highland Ave, Salem, MA 01970 or at www.neas.org. For guest book please visit www.buonfiglio.com
Elizabeth Anne McBride
February 6, 1921 – March 1, 2021
Elizabeth “Liz” Anne (Sullivan) McBride, 100, beloved longtime Chelsea resident, recently of Revere, passed away peacefully on March 1 at the Lighthouse Nursing Center in Revere.
Born to the late John and Ellen Sullivan on February 6, 1921 in Cambridge, the family soon moved to Revere then Chelsea. Liz was a cheerleader and track star at Chelsea High, graduating in 1939. Four years later, she married her high-school sweetheart, the late John Edward McBride. They celebrated 68 years of marriage until he passed in 2011.
She was predeceased by five older siblings: Ellen, John, Ruth (Cross), James, and Margaret (Cassier) and her grandson, Jeremiah Backstrom, and is survived by eight children: Ellen McBride of Chelsea, Elizabeth Backstrom of Somerville, John J. McBride of Chelsea, Kevin M. McBride and his wife, Susan of Saugus, Alice Leeming and her husband, Simon of Canterbury, NH, Timothy McBride of Chelsea, Kathleen McBride and her partner, David Herlihy of Boston and Anne Tolley and her husband, Joseph of Hardwick. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and their extended families.
Liz was a devoted and loving daughter, wife, mother and public servant. She worked tirelessly and joyfully to make the world better for her children and all children. While she and John raised their family, Liz led Scout Troops, Blue Birds, the PTA, and was repeatedly elected to Chelsea’s School Committee, serving for decades as a member or Chairperson. Her only flight was to Washington, D.C. where the National Teachers Association presented her with a lifetime service award. As Chairperson of the Chelsea School Committee in 1988, Liz partnered with John Silber and Doug Sears of Boston University to revamp Chelsea’s ailing school system. Their efforts led to a new educational culture as well as a new Chelsea High and grade school buildings. She was the first woman inducted into the Chelsea Kiwanis Club and served for 25 years championing the distribution of helmets to young cyclists. Liz won numerous awards and citations for her extensive volunteer work with Special Olympics, the Chelsea-Revere-Winthrop Mental Health Collaborative, Chelsea’s elderly center and others. In 2004, Liz received Chelsea’s Life Time Achievement Award, and in 2007, the Massachusetts Association of School Committees presented her with a Lifetime Achievement Award for her outstanding public service. She has received numerous other awards and citations from Chelsea, Revere and the Massachusetts Statehouse.
For decades during her retirement, Liz would once-a-week visit the 2nd grade classroom of Janice Avery at the Burke Elementary School, and read a book to the children who affectionately called Liz their ‘Grandma.’ She would often sit privately with the children to hear their stories and help them on their way. Many of these children would later eagerly introduce their own children to their “great grandmother.” Liz was known to give out $2 bills to deserving children. As adults, they would often tell her that they still had their bill, or had passed it on to their own children. At home, she frequently entertained family and guests with her musical talent, playing the piano and singing old songs. She always flashed a beautiful contagious smile, had a song in her heart, and a ready word of encouragement.
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend visiting hours at the Carafa Family Funeral Home, 389 Washington Ave., Chelsea today, Thursday, March 4, from 4 to 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, March 5 at Our Lady of Grace Church, 59 Nichols St., Chelsea at 12 Noon. Services will conclude with interment at Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in memory of Elizabeth McBride to Kiwanis Children’s Fund, P.O. Box 6457 – Dept #286, Indianapolis, IN 46206. Donations may be made out to “Kiwanis Children’s Fund.” Please indicate the name of the honoree in the memo line of the check. Gifts may also be made online at www.kiwanis.org/give.
Martha Shaw
Award-winning author
On Tuesday, February 16, Martha L Shaw, author of ”What the Song Birds Taught Me,” passed away peacefully at the young age of 60. Martha was born in Tewksbury on January 21, 1961. She graduated from Chelsea High School, Class of 1979 and spent most of her successful career working for Broadway National Bank in Chelsea.
She purchased her first home in Saugus and after the death of her father she decided to move to South Carolina with her mother to be near her dear friends, the Ettlings.
Martha had a passion for writing and received many awards for her work. She enjoyed drawing, painting, and quilting. She loved traveling, spending time with friends and was devoted to her church.
Martha was preceded in death by her parents, Ronald and Barbara Shaw and her brother-in-law, Joseph Medico. She is survived by her sisters: Karen Medico of Carver and Kathleen Spencer and her husband, Brian of Boxford as well as several nieces, nephews, her beloved Goddaughter, Alice Ettling of Boston and by many close friends who helped lovingly care for her the past few years while she struggled with several health conditions.
Memorial services will be private. Donations can be made in Martha’s name to the Parkinson’s Foundation or the Lewy Body Dementia Association.
Catherine Beck
Shaws Supermarket retiree
Catherine A. Beck, 67, of Seabrook, NH, formerly of Melrose, entered into eternal rest on Saturday, February 27 at home surrounded by her loving family.
Born in Malden, Catherine grew up in Chelsea. She worked for Shaws Supermarket as a cashier prior to her retirement.
The devoted daughter of the late Carl Barone and Bertha (Hewitt) Cowels, she was the beloved wife of the late Leslie M. Beck, Jr., dear and devoted mother of Tracy Gagliardi and her husband, Marc of Seabrook, NH, Samantha Beck of Everett and Michael Cowels of Bradford. She was the sister of Roberta Marcin of Everett, Mary Morabito of North Berwick, ME, James Barone of Chelsea, Sheila Bruno of Everett, Robert Cowels of Ohio, Patricia Cowels of Chelsea, Philip Cowels of NH, Barbara Iannuzzi of Peabody and Michael Cowels of Chelsea and the loving grandmother of Brianna Vetrano, Michael Vetrano, Nicholas Provost and Juliana Demings.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Catherine’s visiting hours in the Cafasso & Sons Funeral Home, 65 Clark St. (Corner of Main St.) Everett, Saturday, March 6 from 1 to 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Catherine’s memory to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, 89 South St. #406, Boston, MA 02111 would be sincerely appreciated. Parking with attendants on duty.