Page 4 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, OCTObEr 21, 2022 On A Recent Southern Road Trip Story and photos by Betty B. Stirling R ecently, 60-year Saugus resident Betty B. Stirling, 86, returned from a 4,800-mile driving trip to Florida. Betty was accompanied by her granddaughter, Brielle Beasley, 24, formerly of Saugus. Brielle is the daughter of former Gerry D’Ambrosio Attorney-at-Law Is Your Estate in Order? Do you have an update Will, Health Care Proxy or Power of Attorney? If Not, Please Call for a Free Consultation. 14 Proctor Avenue, Revere (781) 284-5657 Saugus resident Heather (Stirling) Albano and the late Daniel Beasley. Brielle shared driving responsibilities as well as being luggage carrier to and from the various motels along the way. Driving through the Great Smoky Mountains was challenging and beautiful. Brielle spotted an elk family near one of the visitor centers. A tourist kindly took the photo of Brielle and Betty as they stopped to enjoy the view of the mountains. They drove through Nashville, stopping at Spring Hill, Tennessee, to visit Caroline Madden, Betty’s former high school classmate. The main purpose of the trip was to attend the wedding of Betty’s grandson, Michael Messina, son of Vincent Messina and former Saugus resident Holly (Stirling) Messina. The wedding was held in Birmingham, Alabama, home of Michael’s future wife, Meagan Willingham. Traveling south to Pensacola, Florida, they continued on through Tallahassee and Jacksonville, ending up in Stuart, where they spent a couple days at the home of Fran (Kelley) Levin (photo with Betty). Fran, another former Saugus resident, taught 6th grade at the Waybright School for many years. The visit was cut short because of Hurricane Ian, which followed the travelers right up Betty Stirling is pictured with former Saugus resident Fran (Kelley) Levin, a former sixth grade teacher at the Waybright School, on a visit to her home in Florida. the coast. They managed to stay one day ahead of Ian, only experiencing heavy rains and gusty winds in South Carolina. Their last scheduled stop was to visit a former church friend in Wilmington, North Carolina, where they enjoyed a delicious pot roast dinner and homeOur 50th Anniversary Dan 1972 R.Y.O. TOBACCO ---------TUBES CIGAR SMOKER’S DELIGHT! 15 Handmade Cigars - Long Leaf Filler - Four Year Old Tobacco Wrapped including a Cohiba $43.95 We Sell Cigars & Accessories Buy Cigars by the Box & SAVE! Competitive prices on all Brands, Great Selection Welcome Our New Neighbor! LATINO MEAT MARKET OPENING SOON! * Travel Humidors * Desk Top Humidors * Many Types of Lighters * Ash Trays * Juuls * Vapes * Glass Pipes * Rewards Program * CBD Infused Products * GIFTS UNDER $30 - GIFT CERTIFICATES A.B.C. CIGAR 170 REVERE ST., REVERE (781) 289-4959 STORE HOURS: Monday - Saturday: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM Sunday & Holidays: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Chris 2022 ASKS | FROM PAGE 3 say. But I opened it up and it said “Congratulations,” and it said it was from the cardinal, saying we had been selected to receive the medal. Then I said, “Wow! That’s news to me.” I knew about it [the medal], but I didn’t know that much about it. Q: This is a pretty prestigious medal. Deacon Frank: Oh yeah. Then I looked at the letter, and I called up and learned that it had her name on it, which made me more thrilled. I loved to see her get a commendation. So when I called up and learned that her name was on it,” I said, “Ah, this is wonderful!” I moved toward her and said, “You’re getting a medal, too!” That was good. It’s recognition that was deserved. We’ve done a lot of work. Deacon’s work. Q: Could you summarize the work that you’ve done? Deacon Frank: Baptisms, weddings, funerals, wakes, veterans’ services – right now, we’re doing the Social Justice Committee. We were working on a five-year plan a few years ago. One of the things was to start a Social Justice Committee, and the only one who volunteered was me, because I’m very much into social justice, and Joanne also. But the way it works, I’ll get a call, “Frank, can you do a funeral Saugus resident Betty Stirling is pictured with her granddaughter, Brielle Beasley, on their 4,800mile, two-week driving trip through the South. The travelers stopped to take a photo in the Great Smoky Mountains. made squash pie! The trip was cut short again due to Betty’s attacks of vertigo. All in all, they enjoyed a wonderful two-week vacation. service?” And I’ll do the funeral service. So, whatever comes up, and I’m around, I do it. I preach once a month. Most of the people who hear my sermons like it. I serve Mass just about every Sunday and special Masses. Joanne: We can go on vacation now that we’re retired. Deacon Frank: We got a son down in Florida. Q: What about the stuff you’ve done in Saugus? Please focus on Saugus and the work that’s being recognized by this award. Joanne: Well, I lecture at Mass. I’m on the Liturgy Board. As I said, we do the Social Justice Committee. I’m in the women’s group. Deacon Frank: A lot of things we do, we do from home. We don’t do a lot of it at the parish. We don’t see a lot of what we do because anything I have is here [in his house]. I can’t take my full library with me. I don’t do too much in the parish buildings themselves. We belong to the collaborative and we counsel people. Q: Can you talk about Deacon so people can understand what a Deacon is? You mentioned before we got started that there’s a little misunderstanding about Deacon. Maybe we can talk about that a little. A: I’m a Deacon. I’m clergy. I’ve been ordained. Only the Bishop can do me. I want to make sure people understand that DeaWALK OF HOPE | SEE PAGE 7
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