March 26, 1939 – September 17, 2026
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Priscilla A. Montefusco, who departed this life peacefully at the age of 87 while in the care of her daughter’s home, surrounded by her loving family. Priscilla was born on March 26, 1939, in Boston, to the late Chester and Margaret (Quill) Weidner and was a cherished stepdaughter of Eleanor (Doyle) Weidner.
A lifelong resident of Chelsea, Priscilla attended local schools and proudly graduated from Notre Dame Academy High School. In September 1962, she married the love of her life, Samuel A. “Sam” Montefusco, with whom she raised their three beloved children: Ellen, Karen, and Eric. Priscilla was widowed in 2009, having shared 48 wonderful years with Sam. After the loss of her husband, Priscilla continued to foster a warm and nurturing environment for her family.
Her devotion to family was unparalleled. Priscilla delighted in her role as a mother, grandmother to six, and great-grandmother to five. She was always present at her grandchildren’s sporting events, dance recitals, and milestones, celebrating each moment with joy and pride.
Professionally, Priscilla worked briefly at Leonard Silver and American Biltrite before dedicating much of her career to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority as an office administrator. In her retirement, she continued to serve her community through various roles, including an office clerk for the Chelsea Police Department, a volunteer in the treasurer’s office at Chelsea City Hall, former Lunchroom cafeteria worker at the old Mary C. Burke and Prattville schools and a familiar face as a longtime poll warden at the Sagamore Ave (Engine Four) poll.
Priscilla was deeply involved in her community and cherished friendships, being a member of the St. Rose Women’s Guild, Our Lady of Grace Social Club, and serving as past President of the Don Guanella Center. She enjoyed vacation cruises with her daughter and son-in-law and had a special fondness for celebrating the Christmas season in New York City and the Midtown Holiday Strolls. The annual Fourth of July gatherings at the family’s Lash Street home became cherished events, welcoming all who wished to share in the festivities.
Priscilla leaves behind her beloved children: Ellen Benson and her husband, Greg of Peabody, Karen Buckley and her husband, Chris of Saugus and Eric Montefusco and his wife, Patrice of Revere. She was a cherished grandmother to Christopher Benson and his wife, Colleen Curran-Benson, Derek Buckley and his wife, Kaitlyn, Brian Benson and his wife, Jillian Ells-Benson, Samantha Montefusco, Erin Petrillo and her husband, Anthony, and Scott Montefusco. She will also be lovingly remembered as a great-grandmother to Mason, Noah and Lyla Curran-Benson, Olivia and Cameron Buckley. Priscilla was a dear sister and sister-in-law of Celia Cloutier and her late husband, Thomas, Virginia Dionne, and the late Sally and Bill DeNisco.
Friends and family are most kindly invited to attend visiting hours for Priscilla in the Welsh Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea, today, Thursday, September 24th, from 4 to 8 p.m. Her funeral will be conducted from the funeral home on Friday at 10 a.m. immediately followed by a Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Grace Church, 59 Nichols St., Chelsea at 11 a.m. Services will conclude with interment at Woodlawn Cemetery, 302 Elm St., Everett.
In honor of Priscilla’s lifelong compassion for others, her family welcomes donations made in her name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105-1905 WWW.StJude.org/Donate or to the American Cancer Society at PO Box 1120, Framingham, MA 01701 https://donate.cancer.org/
Priscilla A. Montefusco will be remembered for her unwavering love, kindness, and the indelible mark she leaves on all who knew her. May she rest in peace, surrounded by the love she always gave so freely.