Gloria Zagarella
She was a light all her own
Gloria A. (Diaz) Zagarella, 86, of Woburn, formerly of East Boston, passed away on February 27 at home after a long illness. She was lovingly surrounded by her family.
Born on April 9, 1938 in Boston, Gloria was the daughter of the late Vincenzo and Anna (Van Buren) Zagarella. She was raised in East Boston, went to East Boston High School and worked for Loring Studio. She later married her childhood friend, Richard R. Diaz and moved to Revere to raise their three children. After her divorce, she worked at Bradleys for 25 years as a department manager. She was a light all her own who enjoyed laughter, good conversation, good food, bingo, movies and being together with her loved ones.
She is survived by her daughter, Lisa Diaz and her partner, Christopher Cavanaugh of Woburn, sons, Richard Diaz of Revere and James Diaz of Lynn and her special daughter in law, Gail Scimone of Revere; her grandchildren: Ron Particelli and his wife, Kristen of Valencia, CA, Stephanie Picardi and her fiancé, Davie Goodrich of Derry, NH, James Diaz of Revere, Nicole Dunn and her husband, William of Nicholasville, KY, Lauren Diaz and her fiancé, Christina of Lynnfield, Kristina Diaz of Londonderry, NH, Richard Diaz of Worcester, Christina Bagnera of Billerica and 10 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Robert Zagarella and his wife, Janet of Revere and many nephews, nieces and in-laws. She was predeceased by her brothers: James Zagarella and Richard Zagarella; her grandson, Anthony Diaz, granddaughter, Anna Marie Particelli and daughter in law, Laurie (Diaz) Santaniello. She also leaves behind her four special grand-dogs and two special grand-cats.
A memorial service for Gloria will be held on Friday, March 7, 2025, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at Paul Buonfiglio & Sons Funeral Home, 128 Revere Street, Revere. A Funeral Mass will follow at 12 noon at Saint Anthony’s Church, Revere. Interment at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett.
Joyce Gaskill
Longtime Revere City Hall Employee
Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend a Graveside Service on Friday, March 7th at 1 p.m. in Woodlawn Cemetery, 302 Elm St., Everett, for H. Joyce (Moore) Gaskill, who passed away on Monday, February 24th at the Life Care Center of Stoneham, following a brief illness. She was 86 years old.
Joyce was born in Revere on October 30, 1938, to her late parents, Wesley B. Moore and Teresa (Flanagan). She was one of four children, raised and educated in Revere. Joyce was an graduate of Revere High School, Class of 1956. Joyce married her longtime sweetheart, William Gaskill, Jr., on January 26, 1963. They remained in Revere where they began their family together.
In the early years, Joyce was a very proud homemaker raising her son, Brian and daughter, Lori. During these years, she operated a Day Care at her home while raising her children. She later returned to the workforce in 1992 and became a Payroll Clerk for the City of Revere, later moving to the Retirement Board and she cherished assisting seniors. Working at City Hall became like Joyce’s second family where she made many lifelong friendships with her coworkers. She retired in 2020 at the age of 81.
Joyce had a passion for the Boston Red Sox and was a faithful fan with every win and loss. She also enjoyed watching her two favorite TV shows, Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. She enjoyed talking on the phone with her friends and sharing stories. Her family was where her heart was. She cherished her children and grandchildren and enjoyed their accomplishments.
She was the beloved wife of 44 years of the late William E. Gaskill, Jr., loving mother of Brian W. Gaskill of Revere and Lori P. McDevitt and husband, Matthew of Pembroke; cherished grandmother of Decklan M. McDevitt, Kendall M. McDevitt, Kyle J. McDevitt and Molly R. McDevit; dear sister of Patricia DiMaio of Georgetown and the late Wesley T. Moore and Dorothea Murphy. She is also lovingly survived by several nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Dana Farber’s Jimmy Fund, 10 Brookline Place, West Brookline, MA 02455-7226. The staff at Vertuccio Smith & Vazza Beechwood Home for Funerals are most honored to have assisted the family in completing arrangements. For online condolences, please visit www.vertucciosmithvazza.com.
Barbara Tufts
Educator and member of the Revere Chamber of Commerce
Barbara A. (Bommer) Tufts, 95, of North Andover and formerly of Wakefield, North Reading and Medford, died at Brightview Assisted Living in North Andover on February 18, 2025. She was the beloved wife of the late William Tufts, Jr.
Born in Medford on Martch 16, 1929, she was the daughter of the late Arno M. and Marian (Morse) Bommer. She was raised and attended school in Medford and was a graduate of Tufts University in Medford, with a B.A. in History and Education.
Barbara was a teacher for the Medford School System, she taught at the Hobbs Junior High School and she was a Customer Sales Representative for the Revere Federal Savings and Loan.
She was a member of the Revere Chamber of Commerce, the Lynnfield School Committee, Girls Scouts of the America Council, Long Beach Association and various committees at the Union Congregational Church in North Reading, especially the Christmas Fair.
Barbara was devoted to her family and was always a phone call away for anyone who needed her. She had a huge circle of friends in Lynnfield, North Reading, Wakefield and her beloved summer beach home on Long Beach in Rockport.
One of Barbara’s passions was reading. Quoting Barbara “If you can read you can do anything.” She belonged to several book clubs and was an avid participant. Besides reading, she loved working in the garden with her flowers. She enjoyed sitting in the sun on Long Beach in Rockport. Barbara loved watching movies, especially ones with her favorite actor John Wayne. In her earlier days, she loved aerobic dancing and jogging.
Family members include her loving sons, William Tufts, III and his wife, Cynthia of Center Tuftonboro, NH and the late Robert Tufts; her daughter, Sandra (Tufts) Fullerton and her husband, Patrick of Bradford, MA; six grandchildren: Ashley Perron of Pittsfield, NH, Patrick Fullerton, Jr. of Winthrop, Abigail Tufts of New York City, NY, Elizabeth Young of North Andover, Mary Fullerton of Bradford and the late Heather Tufts; two great grandchildren, Mckinley Perron and Charles Perron, both of Pittsfield, NH and her daughter-in-law, Suzanne Tufts of Forrest Hills, NY.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2025 at 11 a.m. at the Union Congregational Church, 148 Haverhill Street, North Reading. A collation will immediately follow the service in the church hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her memory to: Parkinsons Foundation (www.parkinson.org).
Arrangements are by the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com.
Edith Shaheen
An extraordinary woman — kind, generous, sweet and gentle—who lived an incredible life
Edith Shaheen passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 23rd, just two and a half weeks shy of her 100th birthday. She passed in a home her father built and where she raised her family since the late 1950’s.
Edith was an extraordinary woman—kind, generous, sweet and gentle—who lived an incredible life.
She was predeceased by her husband of 67 years, George; her son, Thomas and her siblings: sisters: Dorothy Trapane, Florence Feudo and Louise Marotta, and brothers: Dr. John Mastromarino, Joseph Mastromarino and Henry Mastromarino. She is survived by her sister, Clara; her sons: George, Stephen, David (and wife Minda), and Philip (and wife Martha); daughter-in-law Stacy; grandchildren Zachary, Molly, DJ, Aja, and Harrison; and great-grandson Ozi. Edith’s spirit also lives on in the many nieces and nephews who adored her.
Affectionately known as Edie, she worked as a seamstress in Boston in her younger years, later serving as a hostess at Nardizzi’s restaurant. She met her husband, George at the Oceanview Ballroom on Revere Beach, and the rest was history. When asked, Edith always said that the only job she ever wanted was to be a loving wife and mother, and she excelled in both roles.
To those who dared sit at the game table, she was known as a formidable card player, always winning with a smile, but she had an amusingly ineffective poker face. She faithfully carried on the family tradition of incredible Italian cooking, contributing to the “Food is Love” culture that her family continues to embrace today. Her love and legacy will live on in the many recipes she generously shared with all of us.
Edith had an incredible nursing team in her final days, and she was able to remain in her home—a wish she held dearly—thanks to the unwavering devotion and care of several family members. Their constant presence, engagement, and love made this possible, and their unwavering support helped her fulfill her final wish.
A Visitation was held at the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons Funeral Home 128 Revere St, Revere on Friday, February 28th followed by a Prayer Service in the funeral home and Interment at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett.
Edith peacefully sailed away to the other side surrounded by loving family members, and by the angels on her mantelpiece—cherished figurines she’d collected over the years. There is now another angel in heaven, watching over all of us. For guest book please visit www.buonfiglio.com
Diane Mary McNamara
October 9, 1952 – February 15, 2025
Dianne Mary McNamara passed away peacefully on February 15, 2025 at the age of 72.
She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, dedicating her life to her family with love and care. She raised her four children—Kim, Shaun, Dennis and Brian—with unwavering support and pride. Later in life, she embraced her role as a grandmother to five, bringing them the same warmth and devotion that defined her character.
Dianne was known for her kindness, humor, and open heart. She was always there for those in need, offering a listening ear and quiet strength. Her presence brought comfort to many, leaving an enduring impact on those who knew her.
She is survived by her children, Kim McNamara, Shaun McNamara, Dennis McNamara, and Brian McNamara, as well as her five beloved grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dennis G. McNamara.
The family will hold a private memorial service at a later date to celebrate her life. In lieu of flowers, they ask that you honor her memory by sharing a kind word or lending a hand to someone in need, just as she always did.
