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 years, Wakefield for 10 years and Melrose for 30 years.
Gena worked as a secretary for Tufts Dental School in Boston and enjoyed spending her winters in Sun City Centre in Florida. She loved to spend her time with the “Girls Breakfast Club.”
Gena enjoyed puzzle books, cooking, road trips with her late husband and traveling to Alaska, Italy, Florida and Niagara Falls. Gena’s family and her granddaughters were the most important part of her life.
She was the beloved wife of the late Frank S. Plagenza for 66 years. She was the devoted mother of Vincent Plagenza and his wife Rosanne of CT, Rachel White of Falmouth, Robert J. Plagenza and Judy Riess, both of Melrose. She was the loving grandmother of Andrew White, Amanda Riess, Laura Riess, Stephanie Plagenza, Jessica Riess, Kimberly Plagenza, Lindsay White and Emily Plagenza. She was the caring sister of Florence Waniak and her late husband Charles of NJ and the late Nancy Roseberry & her late husband Jack. She was the devoted great grandmother of Wyatt. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Visitation was held at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St., Melrose on Wednesday, July 26, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., followed by a funeral service in the funeral home at 11 a.m.
Interment in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park in Peabody.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Gena’s name to the American Heart Assoc., 300 5th Ave., Waltham, MA 02241. To send a message of condolence please visit www.gatelyfh.com
