BEVERLY: Josephine A. (Mistretta) Marchesini Lemay, 81, died August 14, 2012 in the North Shore Medical Center in Salem, surrounded by her loving family. She was the wife of the late Robert LeMay.
Born in Salem on August 19, 1930, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Alfia (Cavallaro) Mistretta.
She was a resident of Peabody until 1978 and attended Peabody Public Schools. She most recently lived with her daughter, Mary in Beverly for the last year. After having her nine children, Josephine decided to further her education and enrolled in the Bachelor’s and then Master’s Degree program at Salem State College where she received her degree in Early Childhood Education. Having earned her degrees, she began working in local daycare agencies and also spent some time employed by in home daycare providers.
Josephine belonged to the Dane Street Church in Beverly and was a close friend of Bill W. for thirty-three years. When her children were younger she volunteered helping the Girl Scouts and was a member of the Mothers of Twins Club. She was also a very active member of the Beverly Senior Center and could be found there almost daily participating in many on and off- site activities that they offered. Being the friendly and social person that she was, Josephine had a large circle of friends that meant the world to her. She truly enjoyed being around people and experiencing all that life brought her way. She also liked to read and her favorite place to visit was the beach. Whether it was having a boat ride or just merely sitting on the sand and watching the waves of the ocean, she loved the peacefulness it brought her.
She is survived by her five sons, Jim, Alan, Joe, Frank and Peter Marchesini; four daughters, Grace Gordon and her husband Richard, Mary Chapman and her husband, Ken, Paula Cook and her husband, Jim and Frances Marchesini; nine grandchildren, Katelynn, Lorna, Amanda, Joey, Ryan, Justin, Jay, Bobby and Nicholas; great-granddaughter, Aaliyah; two brothers, Salvatore Mistretta and his wife Ann and John Mistretta and his wife Dottie. Also many nieces and nephews and all the friends she made throughout her life time.
A celebration of Josephine’s life will be held on Monday in the Dane Street Church in Beverly at 11 a.m.
Visiting hours will be held on Sunday in the Grondin Funeral Home, 376 Cabot St., Beverly from 4 – 7 p.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. At the request of Josephine’s family please omit flowers and make contributions in her memory to the charity of one’s choice. Burial will be privately held at the convenience of the family.
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