Voracious reader, expert cook, cherished Nonna
Published January 28, 2021
NORTH READING — Rena M. (Berni) Biasella, 92, of North Reading, passed away on Saturday, January 23, 2021. The beloved wife of the late Armando Biasella, she was the loving mother of Joanne DeVoe and her husband Richard of North Reading and the loving grandmother of Kristen DeVoe Ferris and her husband Robert of North Andover. A great-grandmother of three, she was the dear “Nonna” to William, Annabelle and Evelyn. She was the sister of the late Robert Berni and sister-in-law of Jeanne Berni of New Hampshire. Rena is also survived by her aunt, Irene Giusti, of Winchester, as well as many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.
Rena was born in Boston on July 24, 1928 and moved to Medford, where she lived for close to 50 years, before moving to North Reading for 23 years where she lived with her daughter and son-in-law. She loved to read and was never found without a book close by. She also enjoyed her very difficult crossword puzzles and watching Jeopardy. Rena loved to cook, especially her famous stuffed peppers! Most of all, she cherished playing with her adorable great-grandchildren who were the apple of her eye. She was a truly loving mother and grandmother who will be dearly missed and remembered every day of our lives.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made in Rena’s memory to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Due to current Covid restrictions, a private family burial will take place in Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford. Arrangements by the Cota Funeral Home, 335 Park St., North Reading. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.cotafuneralhomes.com.
