Blanca and Marielena Valencia
Operated La Princesita in Chelsea
Blanca Valencia Pineda passed away 15 months ago on April 18, 2020; Blanca was 70 years of age.
She was followed by her sister, Marielena Valencia, on March 30, 2021, Marielena was 69 years of age.
They were both born in Guatemala and were beloved daughters of the late Herlindo and Eloisa (Pineda) Valencia.
Both Blanca and Marielena operated La Princesita in Chelsea. La Princesita Grocery established in 1988, is a place where you can find products from several countries: Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and other Latin American countries. Both were humble icons in the Hispanic community in Chelsea and were integral parts in keeping the business afloat for more than 35 years.
Blanca, also known as Blanquí, Blanquísima, Blanquita, and Princesita, was a beloved sister, aunt and godmother. She was devoted to her home and family and was the primary caregiver to her aging parents. Although she never married or had children of her own, Blanca regarded her many nieces and nephews as her own children.
In her lifetime, Blanca enjoyed a good meal with family and traveling. She made several trips to her hometown in Guatemala and eight years ago, she fulfilled her life’s dream of visiting Jerusalem.
Marielena retired from the grocery store and settled in Deltona, Florida several years ago to move in with family there. In her lifetime, she adored Latin Music and loved to go to the beach and collect shells.
In addition to their parents, they were predeceased by a younger sister Gladys Valencia.
They are survived by siblings: Irma Valencia, Lety Taracena, Alvaro Valencia, and Eddy Valencia.
Marielena is also survived by her children: Edwin Peralta and Mercedes Chacon (her husband, Alex Posada) and former husband, Gustavo Chacon, along with five grandchildren and her loyal canine companion, Shuga who never left her side.
A memorial gathering for Blanca and Marielena will be held from the Welsh Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea on Saturday August 7 from 10 a.m. to 12 Noon
Relatives and friends are most kindly invited to attend. A service of remembrance will begin at 10:30 a.m.
Family and friends may offer condolences by means of the online guest book by visiting: www.welshfh.com
Patricia Ann Dwyer
Registered Nurse Who Valued Education Above All Else
Patricia Ann Dwyer, 82, formerly of Brockton, Massachusetts (born in Chelsea to John and Doris Dwyer), entered into eternal rest on Sunday, August 1.
A life-long devoted Catholic, Ms. Dwyer was a member of the St. Edith Stein parish at the time of her passing. She proudly held the role of registered nurse (RN) for over 50 years, and served as an RN at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston for more than two decades. She valued education above all else. She encouraged her children and grandchildren to pursue higher education in their fields of choice and believed that being a lifelong learner is the most rewarding legacy to leave for the future. As such, she, with her loving family’s support, made the thoughtful decision to donate her remains to the Yale Medical School so that future doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, radiology technologists and other healthcare providers could continue to learn and leave their own impact on the world through the ripple effect of this tremendous gift.
She is survived by her daughters: Patricia (Thomas) Kennedy, Joan (Kenneth) Kreiger, Colleen (James) Nolan and Margaret Boettcher. In addition, she leaves her grandchildren: Alana (Scott) Wiener, Dara Lynn Kreiger, Jessica Kreiger, Grace Kennedy, Claire Nolan, Bradford Nolan, Elaine Nolan, Erin Boettcher, Lauren Noel, Amanda Noel, and four great-grandchildren.
Additionally, she leaves behind her siblings: John (Lynne) Dwyer, Mary Dwyer, Eileen Dwyer, Barbara (Andrew) Dwyer-Heidkamp and many nieces, nephews and grand-nieces and grand-nephews
A private Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on the campus of Yale University.
In lieu of flowers, friends are invited to make a donation in Patricia Dwyer’s honor to The Eire Society of Boston: https://www.eiresociety.org/
Albert Saidi
January 1, 1954 – August 1, 2021
Albert G. Saidi passed away on Sunday, August 1 while at the Massachusetts General Hospital. He was 67 years of age.
Born and raised in Kisangangi, Congo-DRC, he was the only son of Gaston and Nyota Bwissa. He received all his formal education in Congo and received a bachelor’s degree in accounting.
He came to the United States in 1996, settled in Chelsea and was a resident of Chelsea for the past 25 years. He worked to reunite his family and was soon able to bring his wife and nine children to be with him.
Albert worked as a manager for LAZ Parking in Boston. He retired five years ago due to health complications.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 42 years Elizabeth A. (Ekonde). He was the devoted father of Nadine Saidi, Noah Saidi, Etienne Saidi, Bruce Saidi, Patricia Saidi, Lionel Saidi, Gladys Mbangu, Kevin Saidi and Godelive Saidi and the revered grandfather of 16 grandchildren.
Visiting hours will be held from the Welsh Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea today, Thursday, August 5 from 4 to 8 p.m. Relatives and friends are most kindly invited to attend. His Funeral will be held from the Agape Church / Assembly of God, 77 Kennedy Drive, Malden on Friday, August 6 at 9:30 a.m. Services will conclude with interment at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.
Family and friends may offer condolences by means of the online guest book by visiting: www.welshfh.com
Christie A. Dente, Sr.
March 16, 1927 – July 29, 2021
Christie A. Dente, Sr., 94, entered eternal life on Thursday, July 29.
Born and raised in Chelsea, a beloved son of the late Palmina (Simboli) and Louis Dente, he was a lifelong resident of Chelsea and attended local schools.
At 17, with the blessing of his mother, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served during the closing years of World War II. He was honorably discharged at the rank of PFC, and returned home to Chelsea and was soon married to his beloved childhood sweetheart, Rita M. Bradley. Together they raised their family in Chelsea residing for many years in the Bellingham Street neighborhood. Christie was widowed in 2012 after 61 years of devotion and romance.
He began working as a welder at the Charlestown Navy Yard, resigning from the shipyard when the yard was decommissioned in 1974. He became a real estate broker and worked for many years in Chelsea and Melrose as director of Housing and Urban Development.
In his lifetime, Christie enjoyed Saturday night dancing with Rita at the Beachmont VFW and the former Chelsea Moose Club. He enjoyed traveling with his wife to Florida and Las Vegas, frequent trips to Atlantic City and several ocean cruises. He also enjoyed spending time close to the ocean, sunbathing at Revere Beach or the boardwalk in Atlantic City.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was also predeceased by his siblings; Charlie Petrillo, Carmen Petrillo and Angie Fabrizio, his daughter, Rita C. Pearson in 2016 and his grandson, Roy A. Pearson in 2020.
He was the forever devoted father of Susan Pennell-Campbell and her husband, Tim of Haverhill. Christie A. Dente, Jr. of Melrose and Lisa Feeley of Foxboro and the cherished grandfather of Leighann Twist, Crystal McCarthy, Ricky Pennell, Shannon Feeley, Amanda Dente, Ray Feeley and Christopher Dente.
Funeral services were private and concluded with Christie being placed to rest with his wife in Holy Cross Cemetery following committal prayers and military honors.
Should friends desire, contributions in Christie’s name may be made to Alzheimer’s Association of Mass., 309 Waverly Oaks Park, Waltham, MA 02452.
Family and friends may offer condolences by means of the online guest book by visiting: www.welshfh.com