Loved music, rides to Dunkin’ and going for ice cream
WAKEFIELD — The sweetest earth angel, Lynda Marie DiNanno, age 59, spread her beautiful wings June 7 after a short but fierce battle with pancreatic cancer. Lynda passed away at Winchester Hospital surrounded by love from her family, friends and hospital staff. Lynda, the beloved daughter of the late Luco and Janet (Sabbagh) DiNanno was born in Melrose on October 22, 1964.
Lynda had attended the Franklin School and also took classes through the Wakefield High School special needs program until she graduated at 21 years old. She had lived in a group home in North Reading for many years where she flourished and developed a wonderful group of friends and enjoyed the staff. She loved music and listening to her radio and especially enjoyed Bruno Mars, Bonnie Raitt, Train and Adele. You would hear Lynda burst out her favorite songs and laugh as she sang along. Lynda most enjoyed going out to the North Ave Diner in Wakefield with her parents, rides to Dunkin Donuts, going for ice cream and always wanting to eat dessert first.
Lynda was the biggest gift and blessing to her family, teaching them what life is truly about, simple pleasures which included family, time with friends, reading “Dick and Jane”, Elmo, coffee, babies, dogs, Spring bunny sightings, singing loudly, more coffee, riding in the car while changing the radio station and stealing chocolate and the hearts of everyone she met.
Lynda had the most beautiful smile and her eyes would smile with her. She was the rainbow on a rainy day, the sunshine through the clouds and the sparkle in the night sky. She had been through a lot losing her mom and dad recently, but she would always smile when she mentioned their names.
She is survived by her brother Jim DiNanno and his wife Gretchen of Wakefield and her sister Maria DiNanno Haggerty of Stoneham. She is also survived by her nieces and nephews James DiNanno and his wife Liz, Robert DiNanno and Jake, Ava and Abigail Haggerty; as well as her great nephew Caden DiNanno. She was loved like a sister by Michael DiNanno, Rick and Mirta DiNanno and Gina (DiNanno) and Bob LeBlanc. Lynda also leaves aunts, uncles and several cousins saddened by her passing. She will be deeply missed by her second family at her group home and day program where she was for over 21 years.
A very special thanks to Winchester hospital nursing staff and her wonderful DDS staff that loved her.
Her funeral service will be held at the Wakefield-Lynnfield United Methodist Church, 273 Vernon St., Wakefield on Thursday. June 20 at 11 a.m. Please wear a color in honor of her bright and happy life. Visitation for relatives and friends will be held at the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield on Wednesday, June 19 from 4 to 7 p.m. Interment, Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Special Olympics, Attn: Web Gifts, 2600 Virginia Ave NW, 11th Fl., Washington, DC, 20037. For the online guestbook and directions, please visit mcdonaldfs.com.
