Published in the July 15, 2016 edition
MELROSE — Nora F. (Gogain) Albino, 76, a longtime resident of Melrose and beloved home day care provider in Melrose, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, July 8.
Nora was born in Somerville on April 10, 1940 and was a daughter of the late Leonard R. and Mary A. (Benn) Gogain. The oldest of seven, Nora attended Somerville Public Schools and helped her mother raise her younger siblings. At age 17, she met her one and only true love, Robert J. Albino, and they were married in 1958. They settled in Melrose to raise a family of two daughters and shared a life of love and laughter, until Bob’s passing in 1985. Nora’s dedication to him never wavered; their love enduring long after his death.
At her home on Grove Street, Nora cared for and gently taught generations of Melrose children as a home day care provider for 35 years. With great patience and a genuine love for children, Nora became a beloved figure for numerous young children and parents alike. She was in many ways a “step in grandmother” for eight children, four days a week, and she loved it. As a teacher and caretaker, Nora appreciated and received so much joy in watching the growth and development of “her kids.” She managed to find time to provide a safe environment while also doing all the cooking and cleaning required that comes with caring for eight children under the age of 6. She was a daily visitor to the Melrose Common with her kids all wearing the same bright orange T-shirts, and was the community source of all the bikes, balls and toys at the Common. Year after year, Nora would bring the toys in for the winter, cover them in her backyard and take them back out in the spring. Nora was simply happiest when doing something for others and being a child care provider was a natural reflection of her giving back to the world.
Nora was a devoted parishioner of St. Mary Church, and lived the faith in her daily life. With boundless, positive energy, Nora incorporated visits into her busy daily schedule. She was seen all over Melrose, walking to visit her friends and family, or former children wherever they were. She loved to laugh and brought happiness everywhere she went with her funny stories from her daily life. Throughout the year, she was delighted to receive invitations and attend many birthdays, graduations and life events for her previous kids.
With her husband Bob, she loved hosting family parties in the backyard or traveling to see other family throughout the country. She enjoyed trips to Europe for vacation, but was happiest when at home with family or making an impact on the lives of children. She was truly one of a kind and an irreplaceable mother and grandmother but her memory will live on with her family and the countless lives of children she touched.
Nora was the beloved wife of the late Robert J. Albino, with whom she shared 27 years of marriage. She was the devoted mother of Cheryl A. Bandera of Lakeville; and Sabrina A. Gori and her husband Tom of Saugus. She was the caring sister of Marie McClure of Iowa; Joseph Gogain of South Dakota; Bob Gogain of Florida; Jeanne Quinn of Tewksbury; Susan Lungo of Medford and Stephen Gogain of Alaska. She was the cherished grandmother of Alexandra, Julia, Sophia, Isabella, Charlie and Jackson. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends gathered in honor and remembrance of Nora’s life during visiting hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Tuesday, July 12, and again on Wednesday, July 13 before leaving in procession to St. Mary Church, Herbert Street, Melrose for her Funeral Mass. Interment took place in Wyoming Cemetery, Melrose. Gifts in memory of Nora may be made to St. Mary Church, 46 Myrtle St., Melrose MA 02176 or to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Foundation, 9 Erie Dr., Ste. 101, Natick MA 01760.
