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THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2025 Page 15 OBITUARY Joan T. Hartnett JT H t tt and did her job with the fullest measure of excellence. She was also very devoted to her family, especially her sister Mary. In later years, Joan happily shared her time in Revere, Maine and Florida. Joan was a very humble woman, who was devoted to her country, family and her passion of being a nurse. She is the beloved daughter of the late John T. Hartnett and Mary I. (Turner) Hartnett. The loving sister of the late Mary Cassani and her husband John A. Cassani. Also lovingly survived by many cousins, both living and deceased. Family & friends were invitD ied on Thursday May 29th at the Sunrise of Lynnfi eld following a lengthy illness. She recently celebrated her 93rd birthday. Joan was born in Revere on May 13, 1932, to her parents John and Mary Hartnett. She, along with her sister Mary, were raised and educated in Revere. She was an alumna of Revere High School, Class of 1950. Joan then pursued her passion of becoming a nurse by enrolling in the Cheslea Memorial Hospital Nursing School. After she completed her studies, she began her career at Albert Einstein Medical Center. From there, she went on to work for Malden Hospital and Boston City Hospital. In the meantime, she enlisted in the United States Airforce Reserves in 1967 and became a Flight Nurse. Her career in the military spanned 25 years. During her time in the Airforce, Joan traveled all over the country and the world. She was honorably discharged and retired as Lieutenant Colonel in 1992. Joan returned home too and continued her work as a nurse in Boston City Hospital. Joan loved being a nurse GUEST COMMENTARY | FROM Page 5 ation of leadership inside the White House. I remembered those endless Civil Rights struggles during the Jim Crow era and over my lifetime have come to know older adults today like me who talk about the good old days when they often could’ve ed to attend a visitation on Tuesday, June in the Vertuccio Smith & Vazza Beechwood Home for Funerals. A funeral Mass was celebrated in Immaculate Conception Church, Revere. Interment followed in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. In lieu of fl owers donations may be made in Joan’s memory to the Mass General Brigham / Mass General development Offi ce, 125 Nashua St. Suite 540, Boston, MA 02114 — 1101. Verna (Verrico) Cefalu by family in her family’s home. Born on April 13, 1938, Verna was a third generation Revere, MA resident where she graduated from Revere High School Class of 1955, was married at St. Anthony’s Church, and raised a fourth generation family there. Later in life, she made her home in Peabody, MA, and there continued to nurture generations of her family. Verna retired from HoughF ormerly of Revere and Peabody. Passed on to her new life with God on May 29th, 2025, under the gentle care of hospice and surrounded been the bad old days. Thankfully, most of us survived. We all have had our own struggles the same as everyone else, but there are some who were forced to struggle more. Every year as MLK Jr. Day approaches, I think about past events. I think about what America went through. I think about heroes like Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who could have led an easy life, but it ton Miffl in Company in Boston after many years of dedicated service as executive secretary to two successive presidents and where she had many friends. Yet, her true life’s work was her devotion to her family as a mother, and as a loving and supportive second mother to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren whom she cherished deeply. She also cherished her active life-long friendships with her Revere friends, those from elementary and high schools, to her neighbors, to her group of St. Anthony’s CYO Band mothers and their families. A lifelong Catholic and faithful member of St. Anthony’s Church in Revere, Verna remained deeply committed to her faith even when she could no longer physically attend Mass. An avid and talented knitter, Verna created and shared hundreds of handknit afghan blankets, sweaters, hats, and gloves throughout her life, gifting these to family, friends, and charitable causes alike. She was a voracious reader, and found joy in traveling, especially to Italy and to visit family and friends across the country. Verna was the beloved wife of the late Gaetano F. “Guy” Cefalu of Revere, and Porticello, Sicily. She was the cherished wasn’t easy for him. He believed we all had a right to be treated equally under the law. To be treated equally in our society. He believed getting embedded in hate only led to more hate. King wouldn’t sit by as an innocent bystander and chose to involve himself in making America become a much better place for all regardless of our creed, color or ethnicity. He inspired so many to folsister of the late Loretta Verrico, of Revere, and the devoted daughter of the late Joseph and Laura (Terminiello) Verrico of Revere. Verna is survived by her three children Joseph Cefalu and his wife, Kathleen of Ipswich, Christopher Cefalu and his wife, Pamela of Peabody, and Maria (Cefalu) Parsons and her husband, Paul of Methuen. She is also survived by her fi ve grandchildren Derek Retalic of Saugus, Rachael Charest of Salem, Christopher Cefalu of Saugus, Thomas Cefalu of NYC, NY, and Christina Cefalu of San Francisco, CA, and her two great grandchildren Jordan Cefalu and Dean Charest. Verna Cefalu will be remembered as a blessing to all who spent time with her. She exuded a warm smile and a humorous wry wit. She quietly possessed and gracefully modeled a spirit of humility, kindness, generosity, and self-sacrifi cing love, an example and gifts she passes on to those she loved. Visitation was held on Thursday, June 5, Buonfi glio Funeral Home, Revere, MA. A funeral service will be held on Friday, followed a at St Anthony’s Church, Revere, and interment at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett. Rose Marie Desisto O f Revere. A spirited and funny soul, passed away on May 30, 2025. Born in the heart of Boston on January 22, 1937, to Guido and Carmela Ciancarelli, Rose spent her entire life in Revere, a place she held dear to her heart. A loyal fan of Boston sports, Rose had a special place in her heart for the Bruins and Patriots. Rose had a fulfi lling career as a welfare worker for the State of Massachusetts, showcaslow him as they showed his courage to stand up for what is right. He died doing that. In 1968, Dr. King was killed in April. In June 1968, about eight weeks later, Bobby Kennedy also died in his quest to make a better world for all. In between, in May I turned 20 years old, and it inspired me to not also be a bystander in life. We can either just exist or we can live. I chose to live and to ing her compassion and dedication. Always striving to help those in need, she was a beacon of hope and a pillar of support in her community. Even after retirement, Rose’s impact continued to resonate with all those she touched. Rose’s life revolved around her family. She lived in a twofamily home with her brotherin-law, Andrew Frongillo, who cared for her after her twin sister’s passing. Rose is survived by her daughter, Carole Stowell, and Carole’s husband, Jim Stowell; her son, Robert Desisto, and his wife, Christy Desisto; and her daughter-in-law, Andrea Desisto. She was a devoted grandmother to Lynne, Amy, Marissa, Gina, Ricky, Anthony, Rob, and Austin, and a loving great-grandmother to Christopher, Gabby, Evie, Charlie, Luke, and Jack. Rose was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Guido and Carmela Ciancarelli; her fi rst husband, Richie Desisto Sr.; her son, Richie Desisto Jr.; her twin sister, Anna Frongillo; and her second husband, Ed Canty. A funeral service and prayer service took place on Wednesday, June 4, at Buonfi glio Funeral Home, Revere, MA. Interment at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett, MA. become more than just angry but to do what is right. Here I am today still fi ghting away. In less than two weeks’ time, America will be celebrating Juneteenth Day, a day that acknowledges the news that Black Americans were no longer slaves, no longer someone’s property. GUEST COMMENTARY | SEE Page 21

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