Melrose Obituaries

Published in the July 28, 2017 edition

MELROSE — Gena R. (DiGianni) Plagenza, 88, of Melrose, died at the Bear Hill Nursing Center in Wakefield on July 19. 

Gena was born in East Boston, raised in Chelsea, was a graduate of Chelsea High School and Burdett Business School. She resided in Malden for several…

Talented swimmer was dedicated to family, friends

Published in the July 21, 2017 edition

MELROSE — Cara (Linehan) Buckwell, 34, a premier Division 1 swimmer and marathon runner, tackled every athletic endeavor with fervor and a pronounced focus on achievement. When faced with a Stage 4 lung cancer diagnosis in March, she applied the same will…

Served in U.S. Air Force during Korean War

Published in the July 21, 2017 edition

MELROSE — William “Bill” Crowther, 84, of Melrose, died July 15, 2017.

Bill was born in Stoneham on July 22, 1932 to Andrew and Mary (Daly) Crowther. He was raised in Stoneham and graduated from Stoneham High School in 1949. Bill…

Loved his children, sports

Published in the July 21, 2017 edition

MELROSE — Joseph A. Meehan, 46, of Melrose died on July 2, 2017 from a long and tragic battle with addiction.

Joe is survived by his beloved children, Jessica and Joseph, and his ex-wife Kelly (Robbins) Meehan of Haverhill. He was the son of…

Former activity director for Chelsea Jewish Nursing Home 

Published in the July 21, 2017 edition

MELROSE — Marilyn D. (McCann) Curran, 87,  of Melrose, died peacefully on July 11, 2017.

Marilyn was born in Melrose on June 14, 1930 to Norman and Mary (McCarthy) McCann. She was raised in Melrose and graduated from Melrose High School in…

Former resident owned Kenabar Motel

Published in the July 21, 2017 edition

DENNISPORT — E. Olive (Thorp) Liebermann, 91, of Dennisport, formerly of Melrose, passed away on July 12, 2017 at McCarthy Care Center in Sandwich.

She was born on January 14, 1926, the daughter of the late Tom Thorp and Eva (Benson) Thorp. Born and…

Parts manager at 128 Ford, avid tennis player

Published in the July 21, 2017 edition

MIDDLETON — Mark E. Riess, 56, of Middleton, formerly of Wakefield, died at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston on July 16, 2017.

Mark was born in Stoneham, raised in Wakefield and was a graduate of Wakefield Memorial High School, Class…

Former auto mechanic, worked in law office

Published in the July 21, 2017 edition

MELROSE — Henry A. Rappa Sr., 73, a Melrose resident for 50 years, died July 16, 2017.

Henry was born in Revere on April 10, 1944 to Henry and Marie (Vigliotti) Rappa. He was raised in Revere and attended vocational school in…

Waitress at Hilltop Restaurant, former Pop Warner cheering coach

Published in the July 21, 2017 edition

LOWELL — Carol A. (Reddington) Shaw, 73, of Melrose, died at the Wingate at Belvidere in Lowell on July 17, 2017.

Carol was born and raised in Malden and was a graduate of the Immaculate Conception School in Malden…

RN, founded ‘Knitizens’ after 9/11 to support troops

Published in the July 21, 2017 edition

SAUGUS — Barbara A. (Driscoll) Galvin, 84, of Saugus, formerly of Melrose, died peacefully surrounded by family on July 15, 2017.

Barbara was born in Chelsea on November 27, 1932 to William and Agnes (Lynn) Driscoll. She was raised in Melrose…

Former radiological technician

Published in the July 21, 2017 edition

PEABODY — Ann Schwarz Janzen, 101, of Peabody, passed away on July 5, 2017. Known for her love of her late husband Arnold and family, compassion and caring for others, love of music, the outdoors, gardening, exercise and cooking, her gracious smile will be missed by…

Published in the July 21, 2017 edition

WWII Navy veteran was former Ipswich Junior High principal 

WAKEFIELD — John E. Huttunen, 88, a resident of Wakefield and formerly of Randolph and Rockport, passed away of natural causes at home with the support of hospice on Monday, July 3, 2017.

John was born on May…