Flora F. DiSabatino
Coast Guard Veteran of World War II, Known for Her Devotion to Family and Strong Work Ethic
Flora F. (Cirillo) DiSabatino passed away in her home on August 4 at the age of 96.
She was known for her devotion to her family, strong work ethic, and her desire to feed anyone who came within three yards of her home.
Flora was born Nov. 22, 1922 one of six children of Mary Salerno and Raymond Cirillo. Growing up in East Boston during the great depression taught Flora to be tough. Her family faced the hardship of the era and it taught them to be fierce and to cleave to each other. The experiences of the period gave her the devotion to family for which she was so well known.
As a child of the depression, Flora understood the value of hard work and independence. She pursued her education beyond that which was expected of a woman in that time and trained to be a secretary. She continued to work even after her marriage, long before it was fashionable to do so. She worked for many private businesses and later for Everett School system at both the Parlin School and the Everett High School. Later, she worked at the Office of Veterans Affairs at Everett City Hall. Even after retirement, she worked as a teacher’s aide.
Fiercely patriotic, she took her duty to her country seriously and served in the Coast Guard during World War II. She and her unit patrolled Boston Harbor and on the shooting range Flora proved to be an excellent shot. She earned a certification in marksmanship and both her daughter and granddaughter inherited her talent.
Flora’s life changed forever one night at a community dance. A man named Charles DiSabatino saw her standing across the room in her gray dress and asked her to dance. Though somewhat alarmed by his boldness, she nevertheless took his hand. She held that hand for the next 75 years, marrying him at the age of 20 and only being parted from him by his death, just four months prior to hers.
Flora’s brother Anthony and her sister Emma were born with a rare disability, causing them to require care all their lives. While Flora’s entire family initially cared for them together, the task fell more and more to her as her other sisters passed or moved away. She loved and cared for her brother and sister all their lives and ensured that they had safe and comfortable living arrangements as well as access to the medical care they needed.
Similarly, as her own mother grew older, her care fell to Flora. Flora never saw this as a burden, but rather as a time to deepen and reinforce the strong bond that she shared with her mother. Her love and care proved to be an excellent support because her mother lived in her own home until she passed at the age of 101.
Flora and her husband were very social people. They were avid square dancers and many Everett social clubs could count Flora and Charlie as their regulars. She loved to feed her friends and family, and between her and her husband, everyone left her home stuffed.
Flora is survived by her three loving children: Charles A. DiSabatino Jr., MD. and his wife, Nancy Olson, MD of Hamden, CT, Michael DiSabatino, Esq. of Everett and Susan Fox, RN and her husband, Patrick of Granby, CT. She was the proud grandmother of Kathleen and Brendan Fox, sister of the late Anthony Cirillo, Rosalie Santoro, Virginia Hohenstein, Emma Cirillo and Irene Zuckerman and is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral arrangements were by the Salvatore Rocco and Sons Funeral Home, Everett. Interment was at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.
Flora and Charlie DiSabatino were the rock of their family. Their three children are proud to credit the support of their parents as the foundation on which they built their accomplishments. “There were no strangers at their table, They’d give you all they had to give. Met with kindness, offered comfort, theirs was a life well lived.”
For more information: 1-877-71-ROCCO or roccofuneralhomes.com
Denise Risi
Of Peabody, Formerly of Everett
Denise L. Anzalone Lucreziano Risi of Peabody, formerly of Everett, died on Aug. 3 surrounded by her loving family. She was 54 years old.
The beloved wife of Vincent “Vinny” Risi with whom she shared two years of marriage, she was the loving mother of Regina Lucreziano Esq. and Tori Lucreziano, step-mother to Trista Birch and her husband, Francis, and Sarah Risi and her partner, Dakota; daughter of Clara L. Anzalone Mederios and the late Anthony Anzalone and his surviving wife, Sandra; sister of Marie Ellard and her husband, Kevin, Donna Lento and her husband, Joe, Michelle Mongeon and her partner, Jill, Anthony Anzalone and his wife, Jen, Jackie Landry and her husband, Michael and the late James Mongeon and step-sister of Anthony Medeiros III, Warren Medeiros and Leigh Bernard. She is also survived by step-grandchildren: Billy, Jason and Eric Birch. She was the former wife of Anthony Lucreziano and is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Funeral arrangements were by the Salvatore Rocco & Sons Funeral Home, 331 Main Street, Everett. Interment was private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Denise’s memory may be made to the North East Animal Shelter, 347 Highland Ave, Salem, MA 01970.
For more information: 1-877-71-ROCCO or roccofuneralhomes.com.
Rose Mary LaRossa
Of Everett
Rose Mary (Pizzi) LaRossa of Everett entered into eternal rest at home on Wednesday, Aug. 7. She was 97 years old.
Born in Weymouth and an Everett resident for most of her life, she was the beloved wife of the late Joseph A. LaRossa, dear and devoted mother of Claire F. Merenda and her husband, Michael of Durham, NH, Martin LaRossa and his wife, Barbara of Everett and Edward LaRossa and his wife, Jenny of Southington, CT. Rose was predeceased by 16 siblings. She was the loving grandmother of Michael Merenda, Jr. and his wife, Ruth, Christopher Merenda and his wife, Tammy, Holly Carman and her husband, Al, Bethany Lowe and her husband, Brian, Jesse LaRossa and his wife, Mayra, Cassie LaRossa and Nikki LaRossa and loving great-grandmother of Willy Merenda, Opal Merenda, Ja’Quan Merenda, Da’Jaun Merenda, Angelo Merenda and Juliet Rose Lowe.
Funeral arrangements were by the Cafasso & Sons Funeral Home, Everett. Interment was in Glenwood Cemetery, Everett. Contributions in Rose’s memory to the Merrimack Valley Hospice, 360 Merrimack St., Bldg. 9, Lawrence, MA 01843 would be sincerely appreciated.