Obituaries 12-12-2013

Madeline Cromwell

Retired Glazier, AME Baptist Church Member

Madeline F. (Hagan) Cromwell, a lifelong resident of Chelsea, passed away early on Tuesday, November 5 at the Whidden Memorial Hospital in Everett after being transferred from Eastpointe Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on Sunday. Celebrating her 82nd birthday in February of this year, she was a member of the AME Baptist Church and worked as a glazier at Cool Ray until it closed.

She was the devoted mother of Maurice Cromwell, Jr. and Jonathan Cromwell, both of Chelsea and the late Donna Cromwell; beloved sister of the late Barbara and John Hagan; cherished grandmother of Maurice Cromwell III of Rhode Island and Lauricia Cromwell of Chelsea and is also lovingly survived by her great grandchildren, Maurice IV and Maurliyah as well as by many nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service celebrating Madeline’s life will be held in the Smith Funeral Home, 125 Washington Avenue, Chelsea on Wednesday, December 18 at 10 a.m.

To send a message of condolence to Madeline’s family, please visit www.smithfuneralhomes.com

Stefania Krawczyk

Devoted Wife and Mother; longtime supporter of St. Stanislaus Church; worked at Beacon Wiper in Chelsea

Stefania (Krzyszton) Krawczyk, a longtime Chelsea resident, passed away at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston on December 9 following a brief illness. She was 96 years old.

Born, raised and educated in Bobrawa, Poland, the daughter of the late Benedykt and Magdalena Krzyszton, upon her arrival in America, she settled with her family in Chelsea. A devoted wife and mother, Stefania also worked outside of the home for many years at Beacon Wiper in Chelsea. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Jan in 1994. She was a longtime supporter and parishioner of St. Stanislaus Church.

The beloved wife of the late Jan Krawczyk, she was the devoted mother of Urszula Bosek and her husband, Roman and Rozena Renik, all of Chelsea; dear sister of Maria Willgusiak and Bronislaw Krzyszton of Izbica, Poland; cherished grandmother of Elizabeth, Ala, Jeremy Renik and his fiancee, Lindsey and Monica Bosek and her, fiancee Shawn and adored great grandmother of Mathew, Chloe, Skyla and Lexia.

Her Funeral will begin from the Frank A. Welsh & Sons Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea on Friday, December 13 at 9 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Stanislaus Church, 163 Chestnut St., Chelsea at 10 a.m. Services will conclude with interment at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. Relatives and friends are most kindly invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held at the Welsh Funeral Home today, Thursday, from 6 to 8 p.m.  For directions or to send expressions of sympathy, please visit www.WelshFuneralHome.com.

Arlene Fletcher

Longtime Antique Dealer

Arlene R. (Adamo) Fletcher died on Friday morning, December 6 surrounded by her family after a courageous battle with cancer at her home in North Revere. She was 70 years old.

The former wife of the late Robert J. Fletcher, she was born in Malden,  the daughter of the late Biagio “Wassie” and Blanche (Marrone) Adamo. Mrs. Fletcher worked for many years as an antique dealer. She loved her family, her grandchildren, antiques, cooking and crafts.

She is survived by four children: Annette M. Foote of North Revere, Robert J. Fletcher Jr. and his wife, Loree of Bellingham, Paul A. Fletcher of Chelsea and Michael K. Fletcher of Winthrop; her grandchildren: Bianca, Jason, Danielly, Anthony, Gia, Megan and Nicholas and her great grandchildren: Jared and Tristian. She was the sister of Frank Adamo and his wife, Frances of Saugus. Mrs. Fletcher was the granddaughter of the late Stefano and Josephine Riggio and niece of Stefano and Virginia Riggio of North Carolina, Christine and John Behrakis of Waltham, Antonio Riggio of Saugus, the late Antonia and Charles Flickinger, the late Joseph and his wife, Marge Marrone of Essex, the late Jack and Josephine Marrone, the late Catherine and John Cambriello and the late Mary and Walter Lindquist. She is also survived by her nephew and niece, Joseph Adamo and his wife, Kathleen of Florida and Theresa Tillas and her husband, Chris of Saugus and her friend, Yolanda Puccino of East Boston.

A funeral service was held in the Bisbee-Porcella Funeral Home, Saugus on Wednesday, December 11.  Interment followed at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA. For condolences: www.BisbeePorcella.com.

John ‘Jack’ Keefe, Sr.

Of Saugus, formerly of Chelsea

John “Jack” Keefe, Sr. of Saugus, formerly of Chelsea, died on November 26.

He was the beloved husband of the late Nola Louise (Richards); loving father of Nola and Bob Stewart of Tewksbury, Jack and Maureen Keefe of Wilmington, Paul Keefe of Taunton, Betty and Bob Rock of Saugus, Kathy and Steve Darragh of Chelsea and Barbara Moran of Billerica; cherished grandfather of James, Michael, Robert, Justin and Joshua Stewart, Rachael (Keefe) and her husband, Cliff Esher, Erin Keefe, Amanda and Daniel Keefe, Cameron, Margaret and Thomas Murphy-Keefe, Robert, Sean and Timothy Rock, Jason and his wife, Kaitlynn, Steven and Michael Darragh, Robert and John Moran. He was the great grandfather of the late Melody Amber and Ali, Sam, Liam, Lily and Jack.

Donations in his memory may be made to Hospice, 75 Sylvan Street, Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923.

Rita Norftill

One of God’s Very Special Angels

Graveside services were held on December 6 at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden for Rita I. Norftill, a lifelong Chelsea resident, who died at Boston Medical Center unexpectedly on December 2. She was 55 years old.

Born and raised in Chelsea, she was educated in special needs programs and was one of God’s very special angels

Her parents, Raymond E. Norftill and the late Rita T. (Thibault) Norftill cared for her continually in their home. Her mom, Rita, passed in May of 1998 and for the past few years she has made her home at Marquardt Nursing Center of Waltham where she thrived and was most content.

In addition to her dear father, Raymond E. Norftill, Sr. of Chelsea, she was the devoted sister of Raymond R. Norftill, Jr. and his wife, Lou Ann of Pepperell;  the cherished aunt of Amanda L. Norftill-Towne and her husband, Andrew of Milford, NH and Jonathan R. Norftill of Boston and is also lovingly survived by her two grand nieces Alexia R. and Rayla A. Towne and several cousins, aunts and uncles.

Remembrances may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, 60 Walnut St., Wellesley, MA 02581. The staff at the Vertuccio & Smith Home for Funerals of Revere was honored to have served the family. For more information, visit: www.vertuccioandsmith.com

James Ray Watson

Decorated Veteran, Retired Longshoreman, Owner of Thoroughbred Horses

James Ray Watson of Reading (known to his family as “Jimmy” or “Uncle Buddy”) passed away on Saturday afternoon, December 7 at the Sudbury Pines Extended Care. He was 88 years old.

Born in Boston, the son of the late Joseph P. and Helen (Miller) Montefusco, Jimmy enlisted in the US Army on June 14, 1943 during World War II. Staff Sergeant Watson served overseas for 13 1/2 months in the European Theater. He coordinated a squad of riflemen in action against enemy personnel and positions in the Rhineland and Central European campaigns. He received the Bronze Star Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Campaign Ribbon, European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon and the Victory Medal for his honest and faithful service to this country. He was honorably discharged on March 9, 1946.

Upon returning home from the service, Jimmy worked on the docks in Charlestown as a Longshoreman for over 30 years. He was a former Union Delegate and a late member of BSA International Longshoremen’s Association. He had a passion for horses and was a thoroughbred horse owner for many years.

He was the husband of the late Selma (Tufts) Watson; beloved father of James Watson and Joseph Watson; brother of the late William Watson and Jean French; dear uncle of William Deering, Brian Deering, Lisa Cox and Valerie French; sister-in-law of Elaine Deering; step-grandfather of Edward “Eddie” McCarthy, Sean McCarthy and Derek McCarthy.

A memorial service will be celebrated at a later date. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the William R. Carafa & Son Home For Funerals in Chelsea.

John Francis Sennett

Decorated Veteran, Retired Automobile Mechanic and Chelsea Crossing Guard

John F. Sennett of Chelsea passed away Monday evening, December 9 at the Chelsea Soldier’s Home.

Born in Boston, the son of the late Leo R. and Mary (Steele) Sennett, he was a US Army Vietnam veteran who enlisted in the Army on August 24, 1967. PFC Sennett received the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and the Army Commendation Medal for his years of service. He was honorably discharged on May 2, 1969.

Upon returning home from the service, John worked as an automotive mechanic for several years and also enjoyed his time as a crossing guard for the city of Chelsea. He assisted many school aged children safely cross the streets before retiring in 2011.

He was the beloved brother of Frederick W. Sennett of South Boston and dear friend of James Burke of Bedford.

A Memorial Service will be celebrated at a later date. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the William R. Carafa & Son Home For Funerals in Chelsea.

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