Vera Marie D'Angeli

Vera Marie D'Angeli was born in St John, New Brunswick, Canada, where she grew up alongside her 6 beloved siblings and made many dear friendships she maintained throughout her entire life. Upon marrying Elidio, Vera moved to Massachusetts, where she raised four children, cared for her neighbors, and made many more friends whom she treasured dearly.

Vera had eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren she adored—and who adored her in return. She always said she was the luckiest person ever to have such wonderful grandchildren who were so good to her.

Vera loved her church family, her Somerville Lumber family (where she worked in accounts payable), and every single person she had the honor of crossing paths with during her 12+ years of service as a crossing guard in the city of Somerville. As a crossing guard, Vera knew your name and your story —because she always asked when she walked you across the street. She loved all the people she met at the crosswalk.

Vera had a wonderful sense of humor (April Fools’ Day was a favorite for her). She loved reading the paper, decorating each room in her home for every holiday, dressing to the nines, keeping her hair perfectly permed, and absolutely loving the Red Sox, her sacred hour with "Days of Our Lives", a good puzzle, and playing Scrabble and Rummy around the kitchen table with her grandkids. Throughout the day she would update everyone with texts about the latest news or something funny. Abhorring talking on the phone ,Vera eventually realized texting and getting pictures from her grandkids was great fun. Although, with her aversion to having her photo taken facetime was a big "no no".

Her favorite place was her sun porch. She believed in looking out for her neighbors and was the social butterfly of her street for 44+ years. You knew when you walked into the house that she would be the welcoming committee, sitting on the couch in the sun porch, waiting to greet you with a big hug. The highlight of her day was always her Dunkin’ Donuts coffee—10&4, as everyone who loved her knew—and a good cup of Red Rose Canadian tea. She instilled in those she loved the belief that we could do anything, but we need to stop for coffee first.

Vera will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her.