Obituaries 11-02-2017

Carol DiGiovanni

Chelsea Soldiers Home Nursing Supervisor

Family and friends are invited to attend visiting hours today, Wednesday, November 1 from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Vertuccio & Smith Home for Funerals, 773 Broadway (Route 107) Revere for Carol V. (Girkout) DiGiovanni, who passed unexpectedly on Saturday, October 28 at the Melrose-Wakefield Hospital in Melrose. She was 63 years old.

The funeral will be conducted from the funeral home at 9 a.m. on Thursday, November 2 followed by her Funeral Service in the Funeral Home at 10 a.m. immediately followed by interment at the Mass. National Cemetery in Bourne.

Born in Oklahoma, Carol came to Revere as a young girl, graduating from Revere High School, Class of 1972. She entered the Chelsea Soldiers’ Home School of Nursing and completed her education in 1976. Twenty-eight years ago, she began her career at the Chelsea Soldiers Home, working until her untimely death.

Carol always worked the night shift and thrived on the schedule and the incessant drive. She was a “Beacon” to many and a mentor to so very many nursing students.

Carol enjoyed an unusual relationship with her colleagues. Not only was she highly respected, but her presence was sought after socially as well as professionally. No commentary would be complete without mention of the simpatico she shared with her patients and their families. It is most evident that Chelsea Soldiers Home will long mourn Carol’s passing.

The beloved wife of 40 years and best friend to Steven DiGiovanni, she was the daughter of the late Lt. Col. Thomas J. Girkout, III and the cherished sister in law of Nicholas J. DiGiovanni and his wife, Georgette of North Reading and Jamie Clabaugh and her late husband, Michael of Everett; the dear aunt to Adam N. DiGiovanni and his fiancé, Amanda Wayne of Haverhill, Danielle C. Sullivan and her husband, Lester of  Billerica and the late Michael C. Clabaugh, Carol’s Godson who passed unexpectedly on April 27, 2017.

For additional information, please visit: www.vertuccioandsmith.com

Robert Punch, Jr.

Former Chelsea DPW Heavy

Equipment operator

Robert Punch, Jr. passed away on Wednesday, August 30 at the Fairhaven Healthcare Center in Lowell where he has been receiving supportive care for the past year. He was 75 years old.

Born and raised in Chelsea, he was a son of the late Robert A., Sr. and Ellen (Sullivan) Punch. He attended local schools and graduated from Chelsea High School, Class of 1960.

Robert was married for 36 years to the former Donna Henry and together they raised their family in Chelsea for most of that time. Robert, who worked for the City of Chelsea as a heavy equipment operator with the local DPW, was medically disabled and retired in 1998.

After his retirement, he and his wife Donna relocated to Seabrook NH and resided there for 15 years. Donna passed away four years ago and Robert then took residence with his daughter, Michelle in Dracut before going to Fairhaven.

Robert was an avid reader, enjoyed bowling and relished the time he had living and enjoying the company of his grandchildren.

In addition to his beloved wife, Donna and his parents, he was also predeceased by a daughter, Jennifer Punch. He is survived by his remaining beloved children; Michelle A. Thornton and her husband, William of San Antonio, TX, Brian Punch of Astoria, NY, Jimmy Doucette of Florida and Michael Punch of Massachusetts.

Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service on Saturday, November 4 at 1 p.m. in the People’s United Methodist Church, 64 Purchase St., Newburyport.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association.

Sylvia Abrams

Centenarian who will be deeply missed

Sylvia (Berkovitz) Abrams passed away on Thursday, October 12 at the age of 100 years.

She was born in the West End of Boston on December 19,1916 as the first of three cherished children of the late Molly (Teper-Rubinovitz) Berkovitz and Morris Berkovitz, Sylvia was predeceased by her two beloved brothers, the late Hyman and Arthur Berkovitz. The family moved to Roxbury where Sylvia graduated from Roxbury Memorial Girl’s High School in 1934.  She then graduated from Mansfield Academy and enjoyed her time as a beautician at Joette’s Beauty Salon.

 In 1939 Sylvia met the love of her life, the late Harry Abrams. They married in 1940 and were inseparable over the next 71 years until Harry’s death in 2011. Following their marriage, Harry and Sylvia lived in Chelsea for the next 45 years and later in Revere. Sylvia was a life time member of City of Hope, Hadassah and the Chelsea Jewish Nursing Home as well as a long-time member and past president of Congregation Tifereth Israel of Everett.

Sylvia was cherished by two devoted daughters: Elaine Abrams of Winthrop and Rona Medrano and her husband, Leonard of Revere; two grandsons, John Adams and his wife, Tanya and Eric Adams and his wife, Beth of Florida; three great-grandchildren: Joshua Adams, Mollie Adams and her partner, Adam Kackritz of Florida and Christopher Menchin of Medford; two great-great grandchildren, Mikeyla and Adein Adams-Kackritz of Florida; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

 Sylvia was lovingly known for her charm and beauty and will be deeply missed by all. Donations may be made in her memory to a charity of your choice. Funeral services and internment were held on October 15 at the New Tifereth Israel of Everett Cemetery. Arrangements were under the care of Torf Funeral Service, Chelsea. Visit: www.torffuneralservice.com for guestbook.

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