Dorothy 'Dolly' Martignetti, 89, of Burlington

Obituary Courtesy Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home

BURLINGTON, MA - Dorothy ‘Dolly’ Jean Martignetti, a loving and beloved mother, passed away with her daughter at her bedside on Tuesday morning, February 23, 2016. She was surrounded by her family and friends for days prior. Her son-in-law and four grandchildren sat with her for hours and days reminiscing all the wonderful times they shared, holding her hand and comforting her with words, kisses and affection while keeping her safe and helping to make her journey peaceful. She will be lovingly remembered and forever cherished by her family who were the center of her life. She was 89-years-old.

She lived a busy and fulfilled life always working hard and caring for others. Dorothy was born in Everett, the daughter of the Italian immigrants, the late Emilio and Erminia Covino. She grew up in a small section of Everett, “the village,” surrounded by relatives and other Italian immigrant families. She graduated from Everett High School and immediately went to work at John Hancock in Boston leaving her position when she had her first and only child, Pam. After staying home for 2 years with her new baby she needed to return to work.

At the age of 32 her career became significant, when her husband Freddie was tragically injured in an automobile accident and he was no longer able to work or care for his family. Dorothy, with the help of her sister Mary and brother-in-law Al, managed to become the sole supporter of her daughter, then 3 years old. She spent 40 years with John Hancock, constantly striving to do her best and move up the company ladder. Within the 40 years with John Hancock, she had rose to the position of Systems Analyst in the Insurance Division. She had made many special friends and colleagues over her years of service there. Her self-sacrifice and devotion to her family helped her persevere during those difficult years. That devotion and perseverance carried on throughout her life, always doing and teaching the right thing.

Dorothy moved to Burlington in 1960 and shared a home with her sister Mary, brother-in-law Al and daughter Joanne. Her sister Lucy, brother-in–law Terry and their three sons Richard, Bobby and Dennis also moved to Burlington at the same time. Family bonds were very strong amongst her family. Burlington was a small town at that time and just beginning to develop. Her youngest sister Lorraine and brother-in-law Walter “Fay” and their family, Kevin, Linda, Mark and Paul did not join the families in Burlington, but visited often and they all got together every Sunday at their mother and father’s home “the camp” in Wellesley for Sunday dinner that lasted all day. Everyone looked forward to being together once the families started to move out of the village in Everett. Also, Dolly’s cousin Joe started up an auction that he ran in Burlington every Saturday night and the four sisters and brother-in-laws, and the older nieces and nephews, worked the concession stand making pizza and coffee. Everything was a family event and her Italian heritage was very important to her.

Dolly had a number of activities and interests over the years. She was a long time member of the Burlington Sons of Italy, Lodge 2223, where she served as Secretary for many years. She was even recognized as “Member of the Year” for her contribution to the Lodge and community. She was a member of several bowling leagues in Burlington. She was a member of the Quarter Century Club at John Hancock. She enjoyed ceramics and loved to cook and shop. Dorothy had an incredibly close bond with her daughter Pam, her son-in-law Barry, and all of her four grandchildren. She worried about everything and everyone constantly. She was always there to lend a helping hand, care for the kids, and support them in all their activities. She loved all their friends and their friends’ families. They all thought of her as their own and called her “Nan.” That was so special to her. She joined in with every celebration and loved sitting at the counter with everyone. Always giving her opinion and advise on every subject. She had many healthy political conversations. She always stood up for the underdog and had strong concrete beliefs.

She was also a huge fan of all her grand kids and their sports. She was always rooting for her grandkids and their teammates, praying to St Anthony for a goal or a victory and loved attending a game or competition when she could. It was so much fun to watch a Red Sox, Patriots, or Bruins game with Dorothy. She was passionate and well versed in the players and how the teams were performing. She had her favorite players, and her pronunciation of their names had us laughing and teasing her all the time. She loved to pass the time away watching the games on TV. Family vacations were a very important part of Dorothy’s life. She never missed a family cruise or trip with those she loved. While they sat in the sun, she would slip away and try her luck at one of those games of chance with a big handle. She loved dressing up, having a nice dinner and going to the Broadway shows. Her vacation was not complete unless she had the photographer snap a family photograph to add to her collection. Dorothy embraced life, loved her family completely, and has left a heart print on all those she has loved and cared for. She leaves behind a legacy of love, caring, protection and concern, with many, many wonderful memories to be cherished forever.

Dorothy was the beloved wife of the late Alfred A. Martignetti “Freddie”. She was the loving mother of Pamela Yeadon & her husband Barry of Burlington. She was the proud grandmother of Jay, Jason, Gina, and Joey Yeadon. She was the dear sister of the late Mary Rampon & her husband John, Lucy DiGloria & her husband Terry, and Lorraine Clifford& her husband Walter. She was the sister-in-law of Natalie & Chicky Ciarcia of Dennis Mass., the late Evelyn & Arthur Lepore, Ann & Al Martins, Margaret & Angelo Carrabes, & Ralph Martignetti. She was the special aunt to JoAnne Obrien, her husband Paul, Lauren Ares and Steven O’Brien of Norton and cousin to Mary DiBennedetto of Everett. She was the aunt of Kevin, Linda, Paul, and Mark Clifford, Richard, Robert, & Dennis DiGloria, Debbie Govostes, Gerard Ciarcia, Diane Pieciak, Arthur LePore, Carolyn Giannino, Paul & Richard Martins, and Robert & Paul Carrabas.

Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., Burlington on Monday, Feb. 29 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Malachy’s Church, 99 Bedford St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Sunday from 3-7 p.m. Interment in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Dorothy’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 510 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or www.stjude.org.