Obituary: Rebecca Sallese, 25, Lifelong Woburn Resident

Obituary Courtesy: Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home

Rebecca Sallese, of Woburn, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at her home at the age of 25. She was the beloved daughter of Edward Sallese and Nancy Meehan and the step-daughter of William Meehan. She was a life-long resident of Woburn.

She attended Woburn Public Schools and was a graduate of the class of 2008. Rebecca, known to her loved ones as Becky or Becca, enjoyed playing soccer, softball, karate, and dancing as well as attending the Boys and Girls’ Club. Outgoing and friendly, she was known for her contagious smile, which she held onto even at her most ill.

Rebecca had many fond memories of her childhood. In her youth, she attended Kingsley Pines, an international summer camp in Maine. It was there that she developed lifelong friendships with Tatiana Kombo and Margaret Wyeth as well as many cherished friends.

Rebecca will be greatly missed by the staff of both Tufts Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. She was involved in research for the Epstein Barr Virus. A proud young woman, she had a remarkable faith and a desire to educate others about opiate addiction. Strong in her faith, she did a reading at her church as well as a eulogy for her deceased grandmother.

Rebecca loved quilting, reading, and especially, the Boston Bruins. A kind soul, she helped feed the homeless and provide shelter for them. She enjoyed her work as an acitivity assistant, but her true passion was her work at Modern Pastry, a bakery in the North end, where she worked until she had to resign due to medical complications.

Rebecca was sadly predeceased by her grandmothers Ann Goossens and Barbara Sallese.

She is lovingly survived by her presents, Edward Sallese and Nancy Meehan and her stepfather William Meehan; her biological daughter, Emily Pierce; her grandparents, William Goossens of Burlington, Pat Sallese and his wife Audrey of Lexington; her siblings, Mathew Sallese and his wife Liz of Lawrence, William Meehan and his wife Raina of California, and Michael Meehan and his wife Jaclyn of North Andover; her nieces and nephews, Billy, Michael, Melanie and (awaiting the newborn- she should be born tonight); her aunts and uncles, Mary Ann Hernandez of Ft. Lauderdale Fl, Maria Sallese of Wakefield, David Goossens and his wife Mona of Dade city Fl, Bob Goossens and his wife Betty of Methuen, Steven Sallese and his wife Megan of MI and Joan Doran and her husband Jim; as well as many great aunts & uncles including many loving cousins.

Funeral from the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main Street, Woburn on Tuesdsay November 10th at 9:15 followed by a Mass in St. Anthony Church, 851 Main Street, Woburn at 10. Interment in Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend visiting hours at the Funeral Home on Monday from 4 to 8. Remembrances may be made in Rebecca’s name to the Epstein - Barr virus Foundation Foundation, 16027 Brookhurst Street, I-243, Fountain Valley, CA 92708, or Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Care of Dr. Ben Gerwurtz, MD., 116 Huntington Ave., 3rd floor, Boston, MA 02116.