Lillian Hanlon
Retired Chelsea School cafeteria worker, class treasurer who was voted most popular girl in Chelsea High School, Class of 1945
On the morning of May 3, Lillian (Hahsey) Hanlon, who had lived in Chelsea throughout her life, died at Massachusetts General Hospital. She had been admitted just days before and was 88 years old.
During her time at Chelsea High School, Class of 1945, she held the position of class treasurer and received recognition as the most popular girl in her graduating class. She began working for New England Telephone after completing high school. Her priorities shifted toward family life and raising her children, which led her to step back from her career.
When her husband Parker died in 1980, Lillian took employment with the Chelsea School System, working in school cafeterias for more than 15 years. Beach visits, shopping excursions, and vacations to Las Vegas were among her favorite pastimes.
She leaves behind her late husband, Parker F. Hanlon; two children—Victoria Hanlon of Winthrop and Douglas Hanlon of Chelsea with his wife Debbie; a sister, the late Dorothy DelSignore; and four grandchildren: MacKenzie Hanlon, Dougie, Jackie and Kasey Hanlon.
Per Lillian’s wishes, funeral services remain private. Those wishing to honor her memory may direct contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Condolences for the family can be shared at www.smithfuneralhomes.com
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Evelyn Therese Cunningham
Registered Nurse and book lover
Following a full life interrupted by brief illness, Evelyn Therese Cunningham passed away on April 27 in Winchester at age 84.
She was born October 9, 1930 in Swampscott and spent her formative years in Revere (Point of Pines) as the adopted daughter of Joseph John and Alice (Mahoney) Conway. Her siblings included Olive Costin and Jack Conway.
Her nursing education took place at Massachusetts Memorial Hospital in Boston after graduating from Immaculate Conception High School in Revere. As an RN, Evelyn built a diverse career working as a visiting nurse across the country and for many years at Whidden Memorial Hospital in Everett. Though she spent several years in Florida during the 1980s, her roots remained firmly planted in the Boston area, where she lived in Revere, Chelsea, Everett, Woburn, and Winchester.
A Winchester family benefited from her expertise for 17 years, particularly their daughter who thrived under the care of this pediatric and emergency room specialist. Evelyn shared her passion for reading with the child in her care. Her dedication to literature was remarkable—records show she checked out 6,608 books from the Winchester Public Library.
She was formerly married to Francis X. Cunningham and together raised eight children: Susan of Brookline, Francis X., Jr. “Buddy” (Charlotte) of Chevy Chase, MD, Denise (Ellen) of Takoma Park, MD, Carolyn of Sierra Madre, CA, Patrick (Debbie) of Revere, Kevin (Lisa) of Belmont, Daniel (Mary) of Takoma Park, MD and Joan (John) of Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia. Seventeen grandchildren also survive her.
When Evelyn found herself unable to read during her hospital stay, it became apparent how near the end had come. In her honor, contributions may be directed to: Honor and Memorial Gifts (in memory of Evelyn T. Cunningham), Winchester Public Library, 80 Washington Street, Winchester, MA 01890.
A private interment will be followed by a summer memorial service celebrating her life.
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Fred Martinello
Employee of Leonard Florence Center for Living, former Chelsea Housing Authority employee
Fred Martinello, 53, died suddenly on April 28 at Whidden Memorial Hospital in Everett.
A Chelsea native who attended local schools, Fred was the son of Armando and Grace (Griffin) Martinello. His education continued at Wentworth Institute in Boston, where he earned certification as a Building and Construction Supervisor. His professional skills in carpentry and masonry served him well during his 15-year tenure with the Chelsea Housing Authority. At the time of his death, he was employed in the maintenance department at the Leonard Florence Center for Living in Chelsea.
Fred leaves behind his wife, Lisa Martinello, and three children—Timothy, Amy and Holly Martinello—all residing in Templeton. His parents, Armando and Grace Martinello of Chelsea, survive him, as do his brothers: Stephen Martinello and his wife Patricia of Peabody, Thomas Martinello and his wife Linda of Saugus, Robert Martinello of Chelsea, Michael Martinello of West Yarmouth, and Frank Martinello with his fiancée Christine of Winchester. Sisters Maureen and Theresa Martinello predeceased him. Numerous nieces and nephews also mourn his passing.
Following services at St. Michael the Archangel Chapel (Cardinal Cushing Pavilion) at the Chelsea Soldiers Home, a Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in the Chapel. Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett received his remains. The Frank A. Welsh and Sons Funeral Home in Chelsea handled arrangements. Sympathy messages may be sent via www.WelshFuneralHome.com
Rose Liberty
Bank of Boston retiree; member of many Jewish organizations
On April 29, Rose (Spector) Liberty died at Good Samaritan Hospital in Brockton at the age of 83.
Born in Chelsea to the late Nathan and Ann (Schectman) Spector, she was the devoted wife of the late H. Bernard Liberty.
Chelsea was the place where she received her education, graduating from Chelsea High School, Class of 1949. Her professional career spanned 20 years as an executive secretary with Bank of Boston before her retirement. Active in her community, she held memberships in the Temple Emeth Sisterhood, Mizrachi of Del Ray Beach, Florida, the Chelsea Jewish Nursing Home Auxiliary, and the Orange Street Shul.
Her surviving family includes three children: Nelson Liberty and his wife Marcy of Georgia, Arleen Stoller and her husband Jeffery of Marlborough, and Bryan Liberty and his wife Susan of Milton. Four grandchildren—Samantha, Amanda and Nathan Liberty and Max Stoller—also survive her. Predeceasing her were her siblings Samuel Spector, Dorothy Finklestein and Pearl Peters.
The Torf Funeral Chapel in Chelsea hosted her funeral service, with interment following at the Jewish Community Center Cemetery in Danvers. Those wishing to remember Rose may contribute to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St. Framingham, MA 01701.