Josephine Vitale
Former Member of the Chelsea Senior Center and Salvation Army Volunteer
Josephine A. (Fulco) Vitale, 94, of North Andover, formerly of Chelsea, died on December 13 from complications due to Covid-19.
Born in East Boston in the family home on Gove Street, Josephine spent her first 30 years living in the Jefferies Point section of East Boston until moving to Everett in 1955 and then to Chelsea, where she resided from 1958 until, due to her health, she required supportive care found in a health care facility.
During her years in Chelsea, she was a devoted wife and mother and spent time outside of her house as a member and volunteer of the Chelsea Senior Center as well as a volunteer at the Salvation Army on Chestnut Street.
The devoted wife of the late Robert Vitale, she was the beloved mother of RoseAnna V. McMackin and her husband, Paul of Wrentham and Roberta Vitale-Nolen and her husband, Troy of Windham, NH; daughter of the late Cologero and Carmella (Lazzaro) Fulco; loving sister of Grace Navarro of Chelsea and the late Jennie Fulco, Michael Fulco, Frank Fulco, Dominica Medige, Lena Stec, Charles Fulco and Salvatore Fulco; sister-in-law of Margaret Fulco and cherished grandmother of Parker Glasier, Laura Masterson, Robert Glasier, Sr. and Paul Masterson. She is also lovingly survived by her great grandchildren, Robert, Jr., Alec, Connor, Callum, W. Logan and Sophie, her step-grandchildren, Dan McMackin and Michelle as well as many nieces and nephews.
In light of the present Covid Pandemic, following cremation, a private graveside service will be held for her immediate family. Once Covid has subsided and it is permissible for all to gather, a Funeral Mass followed by a reception and celebration of her life will be announced.
The family strongly suggests that flowers be omitted and memorial donations in Josephine’s name be made to the Chelsea Salvation Army, Chestnut Street, Chelsea, MA 02150. Those who wish may send a condolence to Josephine’s family at www.smithfuneralhomes.com.
Stephanie Evans Cormier
She Rests Well Now Finally Safe in His Arms
The family of Stephanie Evans Cormier is deeply saddened to report her death on December 16, 2020. She was 35 years old.
Stephanie was the daughter of Richard “Richie” Cormier of Chelsea and Janet and Kenneth Farrell of Marshfield, loving sister of Colleen Cormier and her husband, Steve Troisi of Woburn, Ryan Farrell and his wife, Emilia of Manchester, NH, and Lindsay Farrell of Marshfield. She was beloved granddaughter of Norah Trocki and the late Charles Trocki of Marshfield, the late Raymond and Evelyn Evans of Chelsea, and the late Walter and Catherine Cormier of Chelsea. Stephanie is cherished by many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. We, the family, ask that you keep us in your prayers, especially her parents who will need immeasurable strength in the coming days, months and years.
Due to the pandemic, services will be limited at this time. We are planning a full celebration of her life, hopefully around her birthday in July, and encourage all to attend then. A visitation took place on Tuesday, December 22 and funeral and burial will be private.
We would like to remember her happiest days. She was a smart, fun, funny, lively child. A little mischievous. FEARLESS!! Beautiful with enviable blonde hair. She loved playing cards and took the money of many street-wise men decades older than she was at her father’s kitchen table on Washington Avenue.
A graduate of Marshfield High School, she was skilled at math and a prolific writer, filling dozens of journals with her unique perspective and creative word play. Like so many New Englanders, she loved her Dunks and spent much time cajoling friends and family to take her on a Dunkin run! We are left to wonder at what she could have accomplished given the chance.
We never suspected that the bright towheaded little girl with the sparkling smile would be robbed of all her potential at such a young age, but mental illness did just that.
Serious mental illness and the accompanying addictions are terminal illnesses, no less insidious than cancer. In her adult life, Stephanie suffered greatly, and there is not a single family member who did not do everything they could to save her. But that is not our role. Saving her was not in our power.
As Christians our faith tells us that there is only one Savior and we are comforted now that her mind is whole again and that she rests well now, finally safe in His arms.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Stephanie’s name to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (“NAMI”), donate.nami.org.
With eternal thanks for your love and support, The Family of Stephanie E. Cormier.
To send a message of condolence to Stephanie’s family, please visit www.smithfuneralhomes.com.
Frances DeSantis
She Will Be Truly Missed by All Who Knew Her
Frances (DePaolo) DeSantis of Revere passed away surrounded by her loving family on December 15 at the age of 89.
Frances was a graduate of Revere High School, Class of 1949 and went on to graduate from Fisher Junior College. She was a homemaker who took great pride in raising her three children and later on her grandchildren. She enjoyed bowling, loved to travel and will be truly missed by all who knew her.
Born in Chelsea on April 19, 1931 to the late Anthony and Lena (Belmonte), she was the devoted mother of Joseph DeSantis of Revere, Janice DeSantis and her longtime companion, Rob McPherson of Chelsea and James DeSantis of Revere; cherished grandmother of Joseph DeSantis Jr. and his wife, Erin, John, Jenae and Rachael DeSantis and adored great grandmother of Lola Bartlett. She is also lovingly survived by many cousins.
Due to the current spike in COVID-19, the guidelines issued by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and local officials, Funeral Services will be privately held for the immediate family under the direction of Paul Buonfiglio & Sons – Bruno Funeral Home, 128 Revere Street, Revere, MA 02151. Interment in Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601 or at alz.org. For guestbook please visit www.buonfiglio.com.