Obituaries 01-27-2021

Norma Lillian Laskey

Her Large Extended Family and Friends Will Dearly Miss Her

Norma Lillian Laskey passed away at age 92 on Christmas Day of complications from breast cancer.

Norma was a lifelong resident of Everett who took great pride in being able to recite Albert Parlin’s ”Character” until her final days. 

Norma was active in the County Road Congregational Church of Chelsea where she served as treasurer for many years.  She enjoyed greeting her neighbors from the front porch at her Everett homestead where she lived since 1936. 

Upon graduation from Everett High School, Norma was employed by the Middlesex County National Bank in Everett Square, beginning her 43-year career in banking. She was promoted to assistant vice president at BayBank, which later became what is now Bank of America.  

Norma enjoyed traveling the United States and abroad, including two trips to Norway and another to London.  She truly enjoyed time spent at her summer home in Pemaquid, Maine.  

Norma had a great sense of humor and used it often.  She would liven up the family gatherings with her fancy accents, trivia ability, and quick wit.  Her large extended family and friends will dearly miss her.

Norma was predeceased by her parents, Allen and Lillie Laskey and her sister, Barbara.  She is survived by her brother, Richard Laskey of Medford and by 24 devoted nieces and nephews who she loved dearly.

In light of the ongoing pandemic, services will be planned for a more appropriate time.  Funeral arrangements entrusted to the Carafa Family Funeral Home in Chelsea.  We encourage family and friends to visit www.carafafuneralhome.com to offer condolences at this time by means of the online guest book or to send a personalized sympathy card.

Rita Hurley

Longtime Everett Board of Health Clerk and a Founding Member of St. Therese Travel Club

Rita M. (Petrino) Hurley of Everett entered into eternal rest on Thursday, January 21 at home surrounded by her loving family.  She was 83 years old. 

Born in Everett, Rita worked as a clerk in the Board of Health office at the Everett City Hall for many years.  Rita and her sister, Virginia were founding members of the St. Therese Travel Club, which, at its peak, had many thousand people as members.  The members would look forward to the trips that Rita and Virginia planned because they knew that there would be lots of fun and festivities for all to enjoy.  And when they returned home the next questions asked of Rita and Virginia were when the next trip was and where are we going? 

The beloved wife of the late William J. Hurley, she was the dear and devoted mother of Laureen Hurley, William J. Hurley, Jr. and his former wife, Lisa Hurley, Lisa Sachetta and her husband, Stephen, Rita Crafts and her husband, Robert H., and Stephen Hurley and his wife, Luciana, all of Everett; sister of Anna Claire and her husband, Gerald of Wilmington and the late Virginia Petrino; loving grandmother of William J. Hurley and his wife, Samantha, Mark Sachetta, Stephanie Underwood and her wife, Abbey Underwood, Robbie Crafts and his wife, Lexie, Briana Sachetta, Casey Chapman, Eric Crafts and his wife, Marie, Jessica Hurley and her partner, Keenan Shelton, Ryan Hurley, Anthony Hurley and Maria Felice Hurley and the late Nicole Fletcher.  Rita is also survived by eight loving great-grandchildren.   

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Cafasso & Sons Funeral Home, Everett. A Funeral Mass in the Immaculate Conception Church, Everett was followed by interment at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.

John Theodore Zervas

He Will Be Remembered for His Kindness, Devotion to His Family and Dedication to His Faith.

John Theodore Zervas of Everett passed away peacefully on January 22 at the age of 90.

John is survived by his wife, Irene and their children: Theodore Zervas, Helen Zervas and her fiancé, Chris Ziogas, James Zervas, Nicolette Zervas, Sophia and her husband, Rich Grant and Katerina and her husband, George Georges; his grandchildren: Irena and Yanna Zervas, Lauren and Ryan Grant,  Evyenia, Ereeny and Eliana Georges; Allison Joyner, and Mariah Woodbury. He is also survived by his sister Penelope Papaioannou and her family.  He was loved by many more close family and friends.

John was born in the village of Prosimni, Greece.  In order to pursue his education and further his ambitions, he immigrated to Portland, Oregon.  After attending the University of Portland, John became a proud member of the U.S. Navy. Soon after, he married his wife with whom he spent 57 years of marriage.  He dedicated over forty years of his life overseas as a civil servant for the U.S. Air Force before moving to Everett.

John will be remembered for his kindness, his devotion to his family, and his dedication to his faith. John respected all people.  He was a man who spoke from his heart.  No matter what the situation, he always made the time to talk, visit, or support others in any way that he could.  He was an ambitious, successful, and happy man. He truly enjoyed being in the company of others and, through his storytelling, making them laugh. He was an invaluable mentor to his children; he guided them with his patience and commitment.  John’s favorite times were spent with his family and friends. He was a passionate vegetable gardener, wine-maker, and he took immense pride visiting his home villages of Prosimni and Vassaras in Greece.

Services will be held at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Cambridge today, Wednesday, January 27.  Visitation in church  from 10 to 11 a.m. Funeral services at 11 a.m. Services will also be streamed live on Facebook on “Hellenic Orthodox Community – Sts. Constantine and Helen Church.”  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 14 Magazine Street, Cambridge, MA  02139     http://stsconstantineandhelen-cambridge.org/

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *