Paulina C. Reyes
She is fondly remembered as a very understanding, forgiving, and charitable person
Relatives and friends are most kindly invited to attend visiting hours for Paulina C. Reyes today, Thursday, November 14, from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Welsh Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea. Her funeral will begin from the funeral home on Friday, November 15, at 9 a.m. immediately followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Rose of Lima Church, 600 Broadway, Chelsea at 10 a.m. Services will conclude with interment at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden.
At 82 years of age, Paulina C. Reyes passed away peacefully in her home on Saturday, November 9th. Born and raised in Guayama, Puerto Rico, she was a beloved daughter of the late Flor Caraballo and Maria Rodriguez. She had been a resident of Chelsea since 1960. Paulina was married to Hermelindo Reyes for 55 years and together they raised two sons. She was passionately devoted to home and family.
Paulina held various jobs outside of her home while furthering her education at Bunker Hill Community College. She worked with the Chelsea Public School System as a paraprofessional and teacher’s aide for over 30 years before retiring in 2017. A devoted Catholic, she was a longtime communicant and active parishioner at St. Rose of Lima Church. She is fondly remembered as a very understanding, forgiving, and charitable person. She enjoyed gardening around her home and was often visited by former students seeking advice and guidance from her.
Paulina was predeceased by her husband Hermelindo Reyes in 2017. She is survived by her loving sons, Enrique “Rick” Reyes of Georgetown and Alberto Reyes and his wife, Alicia of No. Reading. She was the cherished grandmother of Taylor Robeneck, Gena, and Krista Reyes, and the dear sister of Otilia Caraballo and Amelia Caraballo, both of Puerto Rico.
To send expressions of sympathy, visit www.welshfh.com.
Violeta Gonzalez
Her legacy is her family and her tremendous faith
Family and friends attended Visiting Hours on Wednesday, November 13, in Vertuccio Smith & Vazza, Beechwood Home for Funerals, 262 Beach St., Revere for Violeta (Amaro) Gonzalez, who passed on Sunday, November 10th in the loving and tender presence of her Lord and family at Avainia Care in Salem, following a long illness. She was 81 years old. A Funeral will be conducted from the funeral home today, Thursday, November 14, at 9 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Rose of Lima Church, 600 Broadway, Chelsea at 10 a.m. Interment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Beverly.
Violeta was born on August 15, 1943, in her native Guayama, Puerto Rico to her late parents, Ambrosio Amaro and Teofila (Cruz) Amaro. She was one of 12 children and was raised and educated there. In 1969, she and her husband Juan Gonzalez, Sr., came to live in Chelsea where she happily raised her seven children. She was a wonderful, dedicated wife and mother to her family.
She was a devoted parishioner to St. Rose of Lima Parish and volunteered her time there. She became one of the cooks for both the rectory and the convent. She was also a choir member for many years.
Violeta’s legacy is her family and her tremendous faith. She will be forever missed and loved.
She was the beloved wife of 35 years to the late Juan Gonzalez, Sr. Loving mother of Juan Gonzalez, Jr. and his wife, Elsa of Chelsea, Maria J. Harrold and her husband, Joseph of Beverly, Feliz Gonzalez and his wife, Elizabeth of Chelsea, Juan Alberto Gonzalez and his wife, Lori of Andover, Jeannie Pagan and her husband, Sandro of Pennsylvania and the late Angel Luis Gonzalez and Carmen Gonzalez; the proud and treasured grandmother of 30 grandchildren and 35+ greatgrandchildren; dear sister of William Amaro, Antonio Amaro, Virginia Lao, Maria Mercedes Rivera, Maria Mery Iraola, Maria Lina Rivera, and the late Esperanza Famania, Ulyses Amaro, Ramon Amaro and Juan Amaro. She is also lovingly survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnieces.
To send online condolences, please visit www.vertucciosmithvazza.com.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care and direction of the Vertuccio Smith & Vazza, Beechwood Home for Funerals, Revere.
Edward F. “Fast Eddie” Petersen
March 15, 1948 – November 4, 2024
Edward Petersen, known as “Fast Eddie,” passed away peacefully on November 4, 2024, after a long illness, surrounded by his family.
Born in Chelsea on March 15, 1948 to Nora and Frederick Petersen, Eddie grew up in a tight-knit community, where he shared a strong bond with his two siblings, many cousins, and lifelong friends. A proud Chelsea native and a Red Devil at heart, Eddie graduated from Chelsea High in 1968, where he excelled in both football and track. His achievements in track and field earned him a place in the Chelsea High School Hall of Fame.
Eddie worked as a local truck driver for 25 years, navigating the roads of the Boston area in his 18-wheeler, where he took great pride in his area knowledge and the friends he made along the way.
Eddie settled in Quincy with his then wife Susan, where they raised their three children. He enjoyed coaching softball and supporting his kids’ activities.
After his children grew up, Eddie settled in Roslindale and found great fulfillment working at the Holy Name School in West Roxbury, where he became a beloved figure. His dedication to helping both the children and teachers left a lasting impact, and even after his retirement, Eddie remained close with many friends he had made at the school.
Eddie had an unbreakable bond with his siblings. He looked up to his older brother, Freddie, with immense pride, especially for Freddie’s service in the Marine Corps. He shared a special, unshakable connection with his sister, Jean, who was not only his sibling but also his closest friend.
Eddie’s relationship with his partner, Raisa, brought him much joy. Together, they enjoyed long walks around Boston, with their favorite place being Revere Beach, where they spent hours enjoying the peaceful surroundings.
Above all, Eddie’s greatest joy was spending time with his six grandchildren: Neil, James, Sophia, Colin, Riley, and Lydia. He cherished every moment spent with them, and they were the light of his life.
Known for his storytelling and remarkable memory, Eddie never forgot a detail about anyone he met. He was open about his struggles, which earned him respect from those around him, as he faced life’s challenges with honesty and resilience. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Eddie was predeceased by his mother, Nora; his father, Frederick; his brother-in-law, Steve; and his niece, Sarah. He is survived by his children: Nicole Blongiewicz and her husband, Chris of Windham, NH; Kristie McCarthy of Pembroke, and Thomas Petersen and his wife, Cassie of Norwell. He is also survived by his brother, Frederick Petersen, and partner Denise Nugent of Peabody, his sister, Jean MacDonald of Chelsea, his nieces, Jill Von Handorf and her husband, Joe of Richmond, NH, and Meegan Petersen and her husband, Craig Massey of Salem, MA; his partner, Raisa of Brighton and his beloved cat, Nala, who fits in perfectly at her new home in Windham, NH. He is also survived by many cousins, extended family, and friends.
A private family service will be held, and a celebration of Eddie’s life will be announced at a later date.
To send expressions of sympathy, visit www.welshfh.com.
Ina Rubin
Longtime member of the Massachusetts Teachers Association and American Association of Teachers of French
Ina N. Rubin of Chelsea passed away on November 10, 2024.
The devoted daughter of the late Leon M. and Beatrice (Namyet) Rubin, she was the dear sister of Donald and the late Eleanor of Peabody, Joseph of Santa Barbara, CA, Barry and Donna of Wareham, Roberta and Robert Niewiadomski of Naples, FL, Jan of Chelsea and Mark Malkovich of Newport, RI; aunt of Steven and Terri, Gary, Michele, Shelley and the late Adam, and Michael and Kimball. Great-aunt of Matthew, Natalie, Alexia, Zackary, Janella and Caleb and Godmother of Mehdi. She also leaves many cousins, friends and former students who became friends.
Ina was born in Baltimore, and after her family returned to Chelsea in 1955, she attended Shurtleff School, Chelsea Hebrew School and graduated from Chelsea High School, Class of 1969. She earned degrees from UMass Boston and Cambridge College. She began her teaching career at Weeks Junior High School in Newton where she ultimately served as assistant principal while still teaching French. There she was involved in planning student trips to Quebec.
After Weeks closed, she taught at Newton South High School until her retirement in 2008. She participated in the student exchange program, accompanying students to Grasse, France, and hosting the Grasse students.
She was a longtime member of the Massachusetts Teachers Association and American Association of Teachers of French. In 1978, on a fellowship from the French government, she spent a month in Avignon, the first of many trips to France. From 1991 to 1992, on a Fulbright Teacher Exchange, she spent a year teaching English in Lyon. Besides all things French, Ina loved dancing, concerts and Boston sports teams. She enjoyed many summers in Newport, RI.
The family thanks the caregivers and activities specialists at Cohen Florence Levine Estates and Leonard Florence Center for Living. We are grateful to Ina’s Newton South colleagues who rallied around her when she needed a support network.
Services will be held at Torf Funeral Chapel, 151 Washington Ave., Cary Sq., Chelsea, on Friday, November 15 at 11 a.m. Interment in Workmen’s Circle Cemetery, Peabody. Memorial observance will be private. Donations in Ina’s memory may be made to the Leonard Florence Center for Living Activities Programs, 165 Captain’s Row, Chelsea, MA 02150 or to a charity of your choice.
Consuelo H. Solano
February 5, 1979 – November 4, 2024
Relatives and friends attended visiting hours for Consuelo H. Solano in the Welsh Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea on Saturday, November 9, from 1 to 3 p.m. and Consuelo will be placed to rest in San Jose el Idolo, Suchitepéquez, Guatemala.
Consuelo Haydee Solano Santizo, a devoted wife, mother, and talented floral designer, passed away at the age of 45 on Monday, November 4th, at Massachusetts General Hospital after courageously battling breast cancer for two years. Born and raised in Guatemala, Consuelo was one of five children of the late Zoila Esperanza Santizo and Ramiro Solano. She moved to Chelsea where she has resided for the last 22 years.
Consuelo was married to Manfredo Ranfer Alvarez Tobar, and together they raised their two children, Christopher and Ashley Alvarez. She was a passionate homemaker and also worked as a floral designer for Boston Flower Co. Consuelo enjoyed traveling and shopping, cherishing the time spent with her family and friends.
She is lovingly survived by her husband Manfredo R. Alvarez, her children Christopher and Ashley Alvarez, her siblings William and Vilma Solano of Chelsea, and Jamie and Lidia Solano in Guatemala, along with extended family members and friends. Consuelo will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
To send expressions of sympathy, visit www.welshfh.com.