Anna B. (DiBlasi) Merlina, who was born in Everett, graduated from Revere High School in 1953 and co-owned Peabody Glass with her husband for 65 years, died with her family around her. She was 91.
She was born on April 4, 1935 to Philip and Mary (Palmisano) DiBlasi, one of five children raised in Revere. On August 15, 1954 she married her childhood sweetheart, Augustine “Gus” Merlina, and they made their home and their business in Revere. She ran the household, worked every job the glass company needed, bowled in leagues for years, boated, wintered in Fort Lauderdale, traveled to Aruba, played bingo, and for years hosted a Friday night card game that kept her family in one room.
Her husband of 63 years died before her. She leaves her children, Joseph E. Merlina and his wife Patricia of Wakefield, Karen L. Martineau and her husband David of Revere, and Debbie D’Ambrosio of Revere; ten grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Her siblings Salvatore DiBlasi, Josephine LeClair, Maurice DiBlasi and Joseph DiBlasi died before her.
Visiting hours were held August 12 at the Vertuccio Smith and Vazza Beechwood Home for Funerals, 262 Beach Street, Revere, with a funeral Mass August 13 at St. Anthony of Padua Church and burial at Woodlawn Cemetery. The family suggests donations to All Care Hospice, 210 Market Street, Lynn, MA 01901.
Compiled from information published by Vertuccio Smith & Vazza Beechwood Home for Funerals, 262 Beach Street, Revere. Photograph courtesy of the family via Vertuccio Smith & Vazza. This is our own summary, not the family’s obituary; read the full obituary and leave a condolence at the funeral home’s page on Legacy.com. Corrections: we will fix any error promptly.