Katherine “Kay”
Emanuella Stec
April 29, 1922 – August 12, 2022
Katherine “Kay” Emanuella Stec passed away peacefully on Friday, August 12 into the arms of her beloved lord and savior. She had just recently marked her 100th birthday.
One of seven children, she was born with her twin sister in Chelsea to Italian immigrants, Vincenzo and Maria Michelina (Delli Gatti) Barbieri on April 29th, 1922. She was a lifelong resident of Chelsea, growing up in Chelsea’s waterfront area. She first worked at her father’s convenience store “Jimmy’s,” on the corner of Beacon and Tremont Streets.
She attended Shurtleff and Chelsea High School. Completing the 9th grade, she left school and began working with her twin sister at Beacon Rag Co., on Marginal Street in Chelsea.
She was married to Stanley J. Stec for 69 years and together they raised three daughters,. Kay was passionately devoted to home and family, also welcoming her four grandsons, who she thought the world of.
As a young lady, Kay sang on local radio shows. And when her daughters attended the Shurtleff School, she was active in the PTA planning and organizing fashion shows, cake sales, talent shows and even appearing on stage with Kay Dwyer, Connie Santagate-Landers and other parents. She had many talents in addition to singing, she would draw and paint portraits and still life pictures, as a seamstress she could sew anything.
She was a well-known and beloved member of the Chelsea Senior Center where she ran Bingo Games and other activities. She was a past member of the Cpl. Frank Barbieri Lodge Sons of Italy and the Golden Age Club. She and her late husband were once active in the Chelsea Knights of Columbus and other local organizations. She lived her entire life in the same Chelsea neighborhood and spent her final years at living at Chelsea Village on Admirals Hill.
In addition to her parents, Kay was predeceased by her beloved husband, Stanley J. Stec in 2011, her twin sister, Feliciana “Phyllis” T. Mullen and her husband, John, and siblings: Angela Navoy and her husband, Tony, Matthew J. Barbieri and US Army Cpl. Frank Barbieri (KIA), her in-laws, Edward Diamond and Ann “Peachie” Barbieri.
She is lovingly survived by her daughters and their spouses: Catherine Stec of Chelsea, Patricia Grabowski and her husband, Dennis of Hanover, Susan Bellofatto and her husband, Anthony of Malden. She was the cherished grandmother of Jonathan G. Grabowski and his wife, Vanessa Therrien, Matthew J. Grabowski and his companion, Julie Carnes, Anthony C. Bellofatto and Nicholas J. Bellofatto and his fiancé, Karine O’Loughlin. She was the dear sister of John J. Barbieri of Danvers and Marie Diamond of Chelsea. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, extended family members and friends.
Visiting hours will be held from the Welsh Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea on Friday, August 19 from 4 to 8 p.m. Relatives and friends are most kindly invited to attend. Funeral from the Welsh Funeral Home on Saturday, August 20 at 9 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 250 Revere St., Revere at 11 a.m. Services will conclude with interment at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden.
To send expressions of sympathy, please visit: www.WelshFH.com.
Barbara Ann Dwyer
Wonderful Wife, Mother and Homemaker
Barbara A. (Buckley) Dwyer, 80 of New Brighton, PA passed from this earth and into the arms of Jesus on Monday, August 15, 2022, surrounded by her loving family.
Born in Chelsea on April 7, 1942, she was the daughter of the late Jeremiah and Marie (Horgan) Buckley. Barbara was a wonderful wife, mother and homemaker. She loved being visited by her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Barbara also loved nature and flowers.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Gerald and Paul Buckley; her son-in-law, Michael Labasik IV and a niece, Lauren Mabee. Surviving is her loving husband of 60 years, Robert Dwyer; three daughters, Jill Dwyer, Susan (Stuart) Hampton, Lynne Dwyer Labasik and Daniel Dudek, all of New Brighton; eight grandchildren: Tanner Henry, Abbie (James) Seabright, Joshua (Amara) Hampton, Zachary Hampton, Jessica (Brandon) Will, Nicholas Hampton, Michael (Jordan) Labasik V and Sarah Labasik, five great grandchildren; two sisters, Kathleen (Thomas) Brown of Georgia and Susan (William) Mabee of Massachusetts; two brothers, James (Jeanne) Buckley of New Hampshire and Brian (Gail) Buckley of Massachusetts and several nieces, nephews and their families.
Friends will be received on Friday from 1 to 3 p.m. and 5 to 6 p.m. followed by her Celebration of Life service at 6 p.m. in J & J Spratt Funeral Home, 1612 Third Ave, New Brighton, PA. Rev. Philip Bottomley and Rev. Greg McBrayer, officiating.
Private interment will take place in St. Joseph Cemetery, New Brighton, PA.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Barbara’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association, 2835 E. Carson Street, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, Pa 15203 or Mustard Seed Project, 1305 Merchant Street, Ambridge PA 15003.
Thomas Harley Myers
January 6, 1948 – August 8, 2022
Thomas Harley Myers, 74, passed away on August 8 at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Born in Boston, he was the beloved son of the late Marie Evelyn Myers and brother of the late Donald Myers, both of Brookline. He was a resident of Melrose for the past 30 years.
Thomas attended Laboure College of Health Care and Northeastern University, where he trained as a respiratory therapist. He also served in the US Army during the Vietnam War and returned to civilian life in 1974.
Following his service, he worked in various health care roles at Longwood Hospital and Children’s Hospital Medical Center before becoming a mental health worker at McClean Hospital, where he was employed for over 20 years.
In his lifetime, Thomas enjoyed classic cars, rock music, and trying local restaurants. Family and friends describe his as being very funny, a compelling storyteller and a devoted father.
He is survived by his daughter, Vanessa Jacobson and her husband, Peter of Chelsea and his son, Thomas John Myers and his fiancé, Mikayla Maillet of Hampton Beach, NH.
Relatives and friends attended graveside inurnment and celebration of life at Walnut Hills Cemetery, 96 Grove St., Brookline on Wednesday, August 17.
Should friends desire, contributions in Thomas’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105.
To send expressions of sympathy, please visit: www.WelshFH.com..
Shaqir Merdani
April 20, 1934 – August 10, 2022
It is with great sadness, that we announce the passing our beloved uncle, Shaqir (Beni) Merdani. Shaqir passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by Bersan, Bruna and his precious cat, Koko on August 10, 2022 at the age of 89.
Shaqir was born on April 20, 1933 in Libohova, Albania. He was one of ten siblings, and the last surviving one. He lived in Durres for 16 years until until the age of 27. He defected from Albania in 1960, an act of extreme courage and bravery that only a few can survive. Leaving behind his family and his loved ones was the hardest thing he ever did. He came to the United States one year after. He fell in love with his new country, explored many regions and finally settled in Chelsea and never left. His generosity and big heart has touched so many lives. He was a beacon of light and a ray of hope for many Albanian immigrants who called Massachusetts their home.
Shaqir was able to return to Albania, after the fall of communism, in 1991 and reunite with his family. Since 1991, his house became a shelter for all his nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He always gave without expecting anything in return. He was someone who you could always count on.
Shaqir’s optimistic view of life was contagious and his dedication to helping people in need was surpassed only by his love for sports. He was an avid swimmer and runner, but above all he loved to lift weights. Many people have dared and raced him, but no one could ever beat him. Shaqir challenged and motivated people around him to be better.
Shaqir lived his life to the fullest and never wavered from his convictions. He will be forever loved and remembered from Bersan, Brian, Bruna and all his loved ones. Shaqir leaves behind a legacy of love, loyalty and kindness.
Rest in eternal peace.
Relatives and friends are most kindly invited to honor Shaqir’s life by gathering at the Welsh Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea today, Thursda,y August 18 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Services will conclude with Shaqir being placed to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.
To send expressions of sympathy, please visit: www.WelshFH.com.
Diana “Dede” Walsh
August 27, 1937 – August 9, 2022
Diana “Dede” Walsh, 84, passed away on Tuesday, August 9 at the Belvidere Health Care Center in Lowell where she had been receiving supportive care for the past year.
Born and raised in Chelsea, she was the beloved daughter of the late Patrick R. and Florence V. (Harrington) Walsh.
She attended St. Rose School and local schools. She was a resident of Billerica for the past 27 years and was a former resident of Chelsea and Everett.
Dede worked for many years for LPM Concessioners as a workplace cafeteria cashier. After retiring from LPM, she continued working for many years at Walmart taking her full retirement at the age of 80.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brothers; Edward, Patrick and Thomas Walsh. She is survived by her sisters-in-law Patricia Walsh of Billerica and Carol Coleman and her husband, John of Charlestown and is also survived by her nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.
Relatives and friends gathered at the Welsh Funeral home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea on Saturday August 13 followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 670 Washington Avenue, Revere at 12:00 Noon. Services concluded with interment in Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett. To send expressions of sympathy, please visit: www.WelshFH.com.