Page 6 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, August 7, 2026 ~ Malden Musings ~ Maryanne Smith Remembers Rose Ann Tomasello By Peter Levine M aryanne Smith is stone-cold Maldonia. The Blue & Gold of Malden High doesn’t just live in her memory bank — it gallops through her veins. She’s the embodiment of a generation that grew up when neighbors were like family, every street corner had its own cast of unforgettable characters (Zebra, Chuckie S), and lifelong friendships were forged on sidewalks, front stoops, hoop courts and Harvard Street Park. For Maryanne, it all began in her beloved Newland Street Projects, where every stoop/lawn chair told a tale (good, bad and ugly — LOL), every backyard was an adventure and the seasonal change brought just another memory to hold near and dear. Those who know her know that Smitty’s love for Malden isn’t something she just yip yaps about — it’s simply who the woman is. No lie. Maryanne has carried the heart and soul of this city with her wherever life has taken her, along with a lifetime of glorious memories that could fill an encyclopedia that are best shared over (these days) a cup of coffee (and not publicly — LOL) with old friends who remember when Malden was, and always will be, home. But I digress... Growing up in Malden in the 1970s and 1980s was special indeed (you young pups missed a party!). We were close knit and although we may not have all traveled in each other’s same circles — these same circles crissed and crossed and intersected eventually, making us all one big (somewhat) happy family. If my medulla oblongata serves Summer is Here! Established 1978 Mid-grade Regular 3.83 4.37 5.05 $4.59 Full Service ULS $4.379 Order online at angelosoil.com Kerosene Now Available! but this isn’t goodbye, it’s see you later! ‘Set’em up Rose, until we meet again!!’” It is said in Malden Musings... According to a real O.G. — Jason The undefeated 1975 Malden High School Girl’s Hoop Team Captains Rose Tomasello & Brenda Sousa (center front, holding ball) me righteously, by 1979 Sister Sledge’s “We Are Family” had become the Harvard/Newland Street crowd national anthem played religiously at every single party thrown throughout the city. Also, during and after and in between every softball game. Those were truly “good times.” But, once again — I digress... Maryanne took fingers to keyboard soon after the passing of local icon and one of her besties, Rose Ann Tomasello, and penned these most beatific words: “Rose, this has been such a hard week trying to find the words. We are all grieving your loss. You were one of a kind, loud, smart, kind, loyal and funny as hell. You drew people in, you were like the ‘pied piper’, and I would have followed you anywhere. You had a heart of gold…I remember the first time we met, in Malden Square it was after my basketball game that you had come to, you had recentHome of the Week Welcome Home to 116 Main Street Offered at $649,900 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Commonwealth Real Estate Formerly Carpenito Real Estate SAUGUS - OPEN HOUSE – Sunday, August 9th - 11:30-12:30. Wonderful Family Colonial featuring 7 rooms, 3 bedrooms, 1 1/2 baths, eat-in kitchen with pantry area offering granite counters, desirable 1st floor den for family gatherings, spacious living room open to dining room for great holiday entertaining, enclosed front porch, rear deck overlooking large, level yard, two car detached garage, newer gas heating system, 2026 gas hot water heater, conveniently located just outside of Saugus Center, close to shopping and all major routes. (781) 233-7300 335 Central St. Saugus commonmoves.com ©2024 BHH Affiliates, LLC, An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. Equal Housing Opportunity. ly graduated. I was walking with teammates to the bus stop, you pulled up in your white Camaro, with a red roof, it was so cool…and Earth Wind & Fire (8 track) blaring out the windows. You yelled my name, I walked over, you pulled me in and got me in a head lock (as I would learn later, this was sometimes how you said hello) and said to me, ‘good game tonight!’ You released me and sped off. I was like wow, intrigued, and said, ‘I want to hang around with her!’ We became friends right away, you from Edgeworth, me from the Newland St projects, different backgrounds, it didn’t matter! We were from Malden, and we both loved this city. “That was 50 yrs ago, and we have had such a wonderful friendship, so many great memories, all of our softball games & tournaments! You were our leader, you motivated us, made us better players, so many great memories. We saw the Celtics & Lakers in ‘84’ so many Red Sox games and all the ‘firsts’ for me, you took me skiing, remember me going down the hill and ended up in the parking lot?! All our P-Town trips, our football parties at our camp…you loved the Pats! Through the years we remained good friends, being there for each other after both losing our sisters. Rose, thank you, thank you so much for always being there for me, always checking in, for all the conversations, all the laughter and fun, we always said, ‘thank God there was no social media back in the day!!’ “You were my sister, my hero, my loyal friend. I was so lucky and blessed to have shared a wonderful friendship with you and your family, and you with mine. I will continue to tell our stories. I love you Rose; I will miss you terribly, Munroe — good things are finally happening over on Webster Court at the East Side AA. Looks like they live to serve cold beer another day. Details to follow. • Abraham Foxman. May his memory be a blessing. • Yer old-time Maldonia iffin you remember the jingle “fill your belly at the Downstairs Deli!” Who can fill in the blanks (besides the “Hoganator,” Ron Hogan)? • Congratulations to Malden High School Golden Tornado pitching phenom Ryan McMahon on his MHS record of 23 career wins for the starting 9! Malden Musings wishes you much success in the future, young man. • At the Immaculate, during Dom (Fermano’s) funeral, as wife Sheila took the mic, I could literally feel — deep inside — every single word of pain she spoke. Every. Single. Word. Always on our minds and in our hearts, Sheila. Stay well. • I hear through the Maldonia grapevine that the forever lovely Mary Barricelli may love my grand-kids Christian, Lola, Lana, Jack and Milo just as much as I do! Thank you so much, Mary, they are little sweethearts and so are you. Say hello to that little rascal of a brother of yours, the one and only Diego. • San Rock enthusiasts! You’re in for a real treat, as Capo di tutti i capi Joyce (Mover) continues negotiations with West Peabody’s Tiffany DeMarchi of “Tiffany’s Tasty Treats” to have her hot pink trailer loaded with all kinds of fresh and hot goodies grace us with her presence. Stay tuned. As Peter Falk’s iconic TV character Columbo would say, “Just one more thing, sir” — recently retired MPD’s (name-dropping, derriere kissing alert) George MacKay is a very dear friend of mine. Many were the times we spent together over the last 50 years having the time of our lives (we just didn’t know it at the time). I just loved what the MPD had to say about this true “Son of Edgeworth’s” retirement, in case you missed it: “Officer MUSINGS| SEE PAGE 10 FLEET CARD Check Out Our LOW PRICES!
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