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THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 5, 2023 Page 19 OBITUARIES Kathleen A. (Petraglia) Hebert A longtime resident of Medford, passed away on Monday, May 1st, after battling ovarian cancer. Kathy was born in Malden in 1947, the daughter of Domenic and Theresa Petraglia. She was born, raised and educated in Malden, graduating from Malden High School with the Class of 1965. She then began working as a Legal Secretary. In 1968, she married her high school sweetheart, Alan E. Hebert, after he served the US Army in Vietnam. The two spent time in Everett before settling down in Medford, where they raised their family. They shared nearly 55 years of marriage together. Kathleen was a past member of the PTO in Medford. She enjoyed watching old movies and Hallmark movies, taking rides to New Hampshire, cooking, and spending time with family. She was a loving and devoted mother, wife, sister, aunt, friend, and grandmother. She loved attending her grandchildren's dance competitions, school events, baseball and soccer games, and awards ceremonies to support them and cheer them on. She was known to everyone as "Nana." She is survived by her children, Pamela M. Kessaris of Stoneham, Alan E. Hebert Jr of Medford, and Christopher S. Hebert of Manchester, NH, her sister Terry Glionna of Malden, her brother Kenneth Patraglia of Malden, as well as her grandchildren, Katrina, James, Lorelai, Ashlyn and Luke. Funeral from the Weir-MacCuish Golden Rule Funeral Home, 144 Salem St, Malden, on Wed, May 10th, at 8:30 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Francis of Assisi Church, Medford, at 10 AM. Interment to follow in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Stoneham. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, May 9th, from 4 – 8 PM. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kathleen A. (Petraglia) Hebert, please visit our fl oral store. Barbara E. (Spencer) Mini Of Mal den. Passed away Saturday, April 29th at the age of 89. Barbara was born in Boston on March 18th 1934 the daughter of Albert and Caroline Spencer. Barbara grew up in Everett graduating from Everett High School in 1952. She met her sweetheart William Mini and the two were married in 1958. The two settled in Malden to raise their growing family and where Barbara remained after William’s passing in 2009. Barbara stayed home and made sure her children Bill, Christina, John and Steven were all taken care of. In her free time, she enjoyed dancing with her husband, painting, reading, listening to music and talk radio and watching old movies on the TMC channel. She was also an avid seamstress who enjoyed cooking and baking and spending time with family and friends all of which will miss her dearly. Barbara is survived by her children William Mini and his wife Brenda, John Mini and his wife Kathy, Christina Berg and her husband Roger and Steven Mini, her grandchildren Kayla Mini Menard and her husband Todd, Erica Cartrett and her husband Will, Nick Mini and his wife Kreestel, Brittany Berg, Crystal Weed and her husband Greg, Brian Mini, Kristen Mini, great grandchildren Ferron Cartrett, Freddie Cartrett, Wren Cartrett, Hal Cartrett and Stella Mini. As well as many other family and friends. She was predeceased by her husband William, her siblings Albert Spencer and Carolyn Rachels, and her parents Albert and Caroline Spencer. Funeral services will be held at the Weir-MacCuish Golden Rule Funeral Home, 144 Salem St, Malden on Friday, May 5th at 10:30 AM, with visitation beginning at 9:30 AM. Interment to follow in Forest Dale Cemetery, Malden. Daniel J. (Dan) Sheehan Sr. Of Malden. Passed away on April 30, 2023, at Melrose Wakefield Hospital, Melrose, MA. He was 88 years old. Dan was one of three sons of the late Timothy and Stella Sheehan. Originally, from Revere MA, he enlisted in the US Army in 1955 and served his country for 4 years as a tank operator. Dan would later meet and marry his late wife of 60 years, Elizabeth (Churchill) Sheehan. After the army, Dan joined the IBEW Electrical Union and was a proud union member for over 50 years. Since 1972, Dan spent his summers at Dan Hole Pond in Ossipee, NH where he made many life-long friends. Dan is survived by his son Daniel J Sheehan Jr of Portland ME, son Mark Sheehan of Malden, MA and his daughter Diane Sheehan of Malden, MA, his grandchildren Ryan Sheehan of Cambridge, MA and Erin Sheehan of Newburyport, MA and his girlfriend, Anne Ciaburri. The Sheehan family will have a private funeral and Dan will be put to rest at the Puritan Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Jo Ann (Cipriano) DeSimone A lifelong resident of Malden, passed away on April 22, 2023. She was 70 OBITUARIES | SEE PAGE 22 Advertisement Malden Housing Authority MHA #033023 Malden Housing Authority (MHA), 630 Salem Street, Malden, Massachusetts 02148 is seeking proposals from interested Energy Benchmarking, M & V, and Tracking Services Companies that are capable of providing comprehensive energy management and energy-related capital improvement data that will improve the energy efficiency of MHA’s housing developments. Proposal forms will be available beginning 5/8/23 at the MHA Procurement Office located at 630 Salem Street, Malden, Massachusetts 02148 between 8:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, or by email request at efahey@maldenhousing.org. Proposals will be received at 630 Salem Street, Malden, Massachusetts 02148 until 2:00 P.M. (EST), 6/6/23. MHA will select the firm submitting a proposal, whose offer conforms to the solicitation and is most advantageous to the MHA, Attention of all firms is called to the Section 3 and Equal Employment Opportunity provisions of all contracts, agreements and purchase orders entered into or issued by the MHA. The MHA reserves the right to reject all submittals and/or waive any informality in the proposal process. May 05, 2023 aavvyvy S avy avvy S oiorenniioor nior by Jim Miller How to Choose and Use a Walking Cane Dear Savvy Senior, I have some hip and back problems and could use a walking cane to help me get around. Is there anything I should know about canes before I buy one? Limping Linda Dear Linda, When it comes to choosing a cane, most people don’t give it much thought, but they should. Walking canes come in many diff erent styles, shapes and sizes today, so you need to take into account your needs and preferences to ensure you choose one that’s appropriate for you. Here are some tips that can help. Types of Canes The fi rst thing you need to consider is how much support you need. That will help you determine the kind of cane you choose. The three basic types of canes you’ll have to choose from include: 1. Straight canes: These are basic, single point canes that typically incorporate a rounded “crook” handle or “L-shaped” ergonomic handle. Usually made of lightweight aluminum or wood, most of the aluminum models are adjustable in height and some even fold up. 2. Off set-handle canes: These also are single point straight canes but come with a swan neck curve in the upper part of the shaft that puts the user’s weight directly over the cane tip for added stability. These canes are typically aluminum, adjustable-height and come with a fl at, soft grip handle that’s easy on the hands. Some straight canes and off set-handle canes also come with triple or quad tipped bases that can add gripping support and allow the cane to stand up on its own when you let go, which is very convenient. Both straight and off set-handle canes are best suited for people with a slight walking impairment. 3. Quad canes: These work best for people who need maximum weight bearing and support. Quad canes come with four separate tips at the base, they usually have an off set fl at handle, and can stand up on its own. Fitting the Cane Once you decide on the type of cane, you need to make sure it has the weight capacity to support you, and it fi ts your height. To do this, stand up with your arms hanging straight down at your side. The top of the cane should line up with the crease in your wrist, so your arm is slightly bent at the elbow when you grip the cane. The cane should also have a rubber tip at the bottom to prevent slipping. A worn or torn rubber tip is dangerous, so check the tip frequently to ensure it’s in good condition and replace it when necessary. The grip is also very important, so choose one that’s ergonomically designed, or one that has a molded rubber or foam grip that’s comfortable to hold on to. And if you travel much, consider getting a folding cane that can be packed or stored away easily. How to Use When using a cane, it should always be held in the hand opposite of the leg that needs support. For example, if your knee pain is on your left side, you should use the cane in your right hand. The cane should then move forward as you step forward with the bad leg. If you have to go upstairs, you should lead with the good leg. And when you go downstairs, you should put your cane on the step fi rst and then step down with your bad leg. The Mayo Clinic off ers a slide show at MayoClinic.com/health/ canes/HA00064 that will show you how to choose and use a cane. It’s also a smart idea to work with a physical therapist. Where to Buy You can buy canes at drugstores, discount retailers, medical supply stores and online, usually between $10 and $50. You’ll also be happy to know that Medicare covers canes with a written prescription from a physician. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

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