Emily Gertrude Fuccione passed away in Lawrence, MA, on a cold Thursday morning, January 8, 2026, at 88 years of age, following a battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. She was born May 24, 1937, to Einar and Emily (Frizzell) Johnson in Woburn, MA. Emily will be remembered for her deep well of strength, with which she supported and loved her family, her infectious laughter, and her adoration of any, and all, desserts.

Emily grew up in Woburn, MA, and was a proud graduate of Woburn High School, class of 1955. The Woburn High School Fight Song was a lifelong favorite, and she would sing it proudly for anyone who would listen. It was also in Woburn, that Emily met the love of her life and husband of 43 years, Thomas Fuccione. Although the two had grown up in the same neighborhood, he was the high school athlete, and she sang in the Glee Club; they might as well have lived on separate planets. It wasn’t until a chance meeting at a local gas station during Thomas military leave from the US Marine Corps, that they entered each other’s orbits.

Emily and Thomas’s life together was filled with love and gratitude. They created a home for themselves in North Reading, MA, where they had four beautiful children- Christopher, Tom, Joanne, and Joseph, and created a space filled with love and happy memories. They hosted BBQs and pool parties on Sundays, supported their children through their many sporting events, traveled together to the White Mountains and Niagara Falls, and loved each other through the many hills and valleys of life. They never argued in front of their children, and could often be found together in their yard, planting flowers, or simply enjoying each other’s company, snuggled together on a porch swing underneath the pergola Thomas had built her. Holidays meant traditional Italian fare: homemade ravioli on Thanksgiving, and tortellini at Christmas- recipes passed from Thomas’s mother to Emily, then from Emily to her daughter, Joanne.

When Thomas was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Disease in 1978, Emily continued to support him and their family; working as an accounting clerk during the day, followed by evening visits to the hospital, before returning home to take care of their children. She found happiness supporting her husband in all things, and he worshiped the ground that she walked on. Though Thomas eventually went into remission, in 1986, a tumor was discovered during a routine dental appointment, spurring on the chemo treatments that would eventually claim his life at the age of only 64 years.

After her husband’s passing, Emily was always surrounded by at least one of her children, and as the years progressed, she would be taken on coffee and ice cream dates by her grandchildren. Even as her Alzheimer’s advanced, Emily could be found singing or humming some sort of song, and no matter the genre, she knew every word. She was a woman who felt things deeply, was both feisty and silly, and through living her own advice, taught her children that you “gotta always be able to laugh at yourself.” She taught them kindness, integrity, and to always respect their mother (no matter what). She was always there when you needed her, offering advice and a listening ear through every challenge, trivial or insurmountable. Emily loved all animals, and never met a dessert that she didn’t like. The world is a little less bright without her, and she will be missed greatly. While her voice can no longer be heard, may she be remembered in the songs she once sang, to herself, or with her grandchildren.

“Picture perfect memories scattered all around the floor… wishing you’d come sweeping in the way you did before… and I don’t know how I can do without; I just need you now.”

~Lady Antebellum, Need You Now

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Emily is preceded in death by her loving husband of 43 years, Thomas Fuccione; her parents, Einar, and Emily (Frizzle) Johnson; and her brothers, Fred, and Bill Johnson.

She leaves behinds her four children, Christopher Fuccione, Tom Fuccione (wife Lori), Joanne Fuccione, and Joseph Fuccione (wife Danielle); sister, Dianne Downey; brother, John Johnson; her grandchildren, Kristina, Julia, Jacob, Jaclyn, and Thomas; as well many nieces and nephews.

There will be a graveside service at Riverside Cemetery in North Redding, MA, followed by a memorial reception at Tremezzo’s in Wilmington with dates to be announced. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly request that memorial donations in Emily’s name be made to Mary Immaculate Nursing Home or Alzheimer’s Association. Assisting with Arrangements is the Cremation Society of New Hampshire, Hampton. To view Emily's Online Tribute, send condolences to the family, or for more information, visit www.csnh.com.