Worked in local schools
LYNNFIELD — Virginia A. Mello, 88, died Friday, Jan. 2 at the Sunrise Senior Living Center in Lynnfield.
Virginia was born on April 22, 1926 in Chelsea. She was the daughter of the late Giovanni Scalise (of Calabria, Italy) and Jenny (DeAngelis) Scalise (of Millis). Although she was an only child, Virginia was raised amongst a large extended family of close and loving aunts, uncles and cousins.
Virginia was a graduate of Chelsea High School, Class of 1944. After graduating from high school, Virginia worked for 10 years as a secretary at John Hancock in Boston until she began her family. She moved to Lynnfield in 1954 with her husband, James Mello, where they raised their family and continued to live until November 2014 when James passed away. While living in Lynnfield, Virginia worked in the Lynnfield school system for 20 years. She loved working with the children and was deeply appreciated by the teachers and principal for whom she worked. She was also member of Our Lady of Assumption Church.
Virginia was the beloved wife of the recently departed James A. Mello, a barber until he died, of Peabody. She was the loving mother of Mary Ann Mello and husband Alan Klein of Sharon; John S. Mello and wife Maria of Boxford, and Richard J. Mello and longtime companion Kimberly Curtin of Haverhill. She was the grandmother of Sarah, Andrew, Cody, Benjy and Jordan. Virginia’s role as a caring wife, mother and grandmother defined her. Filling her home with love and kindness for her husband, children and grandchildren, as well as her many relatives and friends, gave her more joy than anything else.
Virginia’s funeral was held at the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield, on Tuesday, Jan. 6, followed by a funeral Mass in Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 40 Grove St., Lynnfield. Visitation for relatives and friends was held at the McDonald Funeral Home on Monday, Jan. 5.
The family requests donations to Our Lady of Assumption Church in Lynnfield in lieu of flowers.
