William R. Thayer, died peacefully at Marina Bay Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Quincy, Friday November 25, 2011. He was 89 years old. Born in Boston, Mr. Thayer was a retired salesman for Warner Lambert Company. A US Navy veteran of World War II, he was a plank owner of the USS Coral Sea CVB 43 and former vice president of the USS Coral Sea Association. Mr. Thayer was a past Grand Knight, Knights of Columbus, Dorchester Lower Mills Council 180 and member of the Bishop Chevrus Assembly. Beloved husband of the late Ruth Louise (Baird) Thayer. Loving father of Joanne M. Durbin of Port Charlotte, FL, Linda R. Thayer of Marshfield, Michael W. Thayer of Weymouth and William “Craig” Thayer of Abington. Grandfather of Benjamin Henry Thayer, Nicholas J. Thayer, Kerry Thayer, Michael F. Thayer, Katie Thayer, Robert Durbin and Kathleen Durbin. Great-grandfather of seven. Brother of Nathalie Bennett of Dorchester and the late Henry “Hank” Thayer and the late Benjamin Henry Thayer. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Saint Gregory Church, Dorchester, Tuesday November 29 at 10:00 AM. Relatives and friends invited. Visiting hours at Dolan Funeral Home, 1140 Washington Street, DORCHESTER LOWER MILLS, Monday 5-8 PM. Interment Cedar Grove Cemetery, Dorchester.

Lena Beatrice Freeman, known for her adamancy in balancing her professional accomplishments with her devotion to family, passed away peacefully on the evening of November 19, 2011 in her Quincy home. In the company of her children and grandchildren, she lost her long but courageous battle with multiple myeloma, cancer of the bone marrow. She was 68.

Born Lena Beatrice Hall on September 14, 1943 to Vashti O. Withers and Jesse Hall Sr., Lena was a native of Covington, Tennessee. The family moved to Boston, Massachusetts in the 1950s. Lena graduated from Dorchester High School, married, and started a family soon after. 

With even-toned skin, high cheekbones, and even higher aspirations to pursue modeling, Lena was a print model in high demand during the 1970’s.  After earning a cosmetology degree from the La Newton School of Beauty, she went on to become one of the first African American women to be a hairstylist at Boston’s exclusive Saks Fifth Avenue.

Lena valued education and constantly pursued it despite raising six children.  She earned a nursing degree from the School of Practical Nursing of Boston. She worked as a nurse at Boston City Hospital as well as the Veteran’s Hospital, where she provided excellent care and a healing touch to many patients in need.

Lena was a dedicated financial aid officer at the University of Massachusetts, where she helped students finance their education until her retirement.  Her affiliation with the University facilitated many of her children and grandchildren to become graduates from the institution.  Lena was near the completion of a Bachelor in African American Literature when her health started to decline.

Lena’s zeal for her life enabled her to triumph over polio as a young child and chronic heart disease in her early forties, giving us more time with her.
Lena will be remembered as an intelligent, classy, and charismatic woman who sought to improve her life and the lives of those around her until the very end. Her influence as the matriarch of the Burnett/Freeman family will have an impact for generations to come.

Her legacy will be carried on by many descendants including her children: Edward Burnett Jr., Carol Burnett, Gary Burnett, Till Freeman IIII, Carnell Anthony Freeman, and Candice Joy Freeman. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Ciera Dawn Burnett, Brittany Monique Lattice Burnett, Shante Nicole Nixon, Shanon Nicolas Nixon, Till Javon Freeman Sheffield, Justice Dion Burnett, Keotti T.L. Freeman, Keemani T.L. Freeman, Akili J. Miranda, Joshua L. Dos Santos, and Serena S. Silva. Lena leaves behind many siblings including: Dorothy Wilson, Arthur Dowell, Jesse Hall, Hazel Jackson, Christine Green, Alma (Musette) Offley, Gordon Ashton Hall, Eddie Hall, Joel Hall, Anthony Hall, Cynthia Hall, and Valerie Hall. She will also remain in the hearts and minds of her daughter-in-law, Luiza Freeman and a host of family and friends.

She will be sorely missed.

Helen C. (Blanchard) Miller, a retired executive, died at Carney Hospital, Dorchester, Thursday November 17, 2011. She was 88 years old. Born in Boston and raised in Dorchester, Mrs. Miller was a graduate of Dorchester High School for Girls. She worked for New England Telephone Company for over 34 years. Mrs. Miller was an active member of Saint Agatha Parish, Milton and the Telephone Pioneers of America. She was a longtime resident of Quincy. Beloved wife of the late Thomas L. Miller. Loving mother of Thomas F. and his wife J.P. Miller of Naperville, IL. Devoted and cherished grandmother of Anne Miller, Kelsey Miller and Thomas Miller. Sister of the late Ruth Norton, Leo Blanchard and George Blanchard. Loving aunt of John and his wife Sue Norton and Michael and his wife Margaret Norton. Devoted great-aunt of Michele, Jackie, Maggie, Johnny and Kevin Norton. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Saint Agatha Church, Adams Street at Brook road, Milton, Monday November 21 at 10:30 AM. Visitation at Dolan Funeral Home, 460 Granite Avenue, MILTON, Monday 9:00 – 10:00 AM. Relatives and friends invited. Interment Pine Hill Cemetery, Quincy.

Katherine A. (Vento) Fornaro, of Milton, originally from South Boston, died at Radius of Quincy, Saturday November 12, 2011. She was 90 years old. Born in Boston and raised in South Boston, she was a graduate of the Woodward School for Girls. Mrs. Fornaro was a seamstress for Cables Raincoat Company of South Boston for many years before working in the Dietary Department at Milton Hospital. She retired after 20 years with the Milton School Department at the Milton High School cafeteria. Wife of the late Guy Fornaro. Loving mother of Nicholas and his wife Susan Fornaro of Easton, Elizabeth A. Fornaro of Weymouth and Robert G. Fornaro of Plymouth. Grandmother of Alex Fornaro of Easton, Christopher Fornaro of Weymouth and Alyssa Fornaro of Marion. Great-grandmother of Tyler M. Fornaro and Gabriella S. Fornaro. Sister of Ann Graul and Mary Lima, both of Plymouth and the late Joseph Vento, Nick Vento, Anthony Vento and John Vento. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Saint Elizabeth Church, Milton, Wednesday November 16 at 10:00 AM. Relatives and friends invited. Visiting hours at Dolan Funeral Home, 460 Granite Avenue, MILTON, Tuesday 2-4 and 7-9PM. Interment Milton Cemetery.

Margaret P. (Lee) Coughlin, of Milton November 10 2011. Beloved wife of Andrew P. Coughlin. Loving mother of Matthew L. and his wife Cassie Coughlin of Quincy. Also survived by her adorable 5 month old granddaughter Maeve. Sister of Harold Lee of FL, Thomas Lee of Hamilton, Elizabeth Duncan of Westford, Donna Donahue of North Andover, Kathy Meredith of VA and 12 nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Saint Agatha Church, Adams Street at Brook Road, Milton, Wednesday November 16 at 10:30AM. Relatives and friends invited. Visiting hours at Dolan Funeral Home, 460 Granite Avenue, MILTON, Tuesday 4-8 PM. Interment Milton Cemetery.

Donald Browne, of Cambridge,  November 5, 2011.   Devoted father of Kenneth Browne, Felicia Langston, Gail Browne Davis, Dale Browne, Daniel Browne, Jeremi Browne, all of Boston.  Loving brother of Dorothy, Delores, Harold and the late Roger Browne.  Donald will also be greatly missed by his 11 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews, extended family and friends. Funeral service at Dolan Funeral Home, 1140 Washington Street, DORCHESTER LOWER MILLS, Wednesday, November 16^th at 12 Noon.  Visitation prior to service 11:00 am – 12:00 pm.  Relatives and friends invited.  Interment  Fairview Cemetery, Hyde Park.  Donald was an employee of MIT for over 25 years, he enjoyed sports, the beach,  and above all always put his family first.

Josefina G. DeAndrade, of Dorchester, November 6, 2011. She was born in Fogo, Cape Verde Islands, October 16, 1943. A longtime resident of Dorchester, she was a former seamstress and was also a retired assembly worker having worked at Haemonetics Corporation for over 20 years. She passed away surrounded by family and friends. She is survived by her husband Olivio DeAndrade, daughters Maria Rose and Anna DeAndrade, and sons Jose Carlos DeAndrade and Jose Olivio DeAndrade. Also survived by her sisters, Josefa Fernandes and Juliana Goncalves, and brother, Gil Goncalves. She is survived by granddaughters Savannah Rose, Athina DeAndrade, Jadalynn DeAndrade, Brittany Rose, and Bella DeAndrade, and grandsons Nicholas DeAndrade, Alex Rose, Andrew DeAndrade, Elijah DeAndrade, and Breighdyn DeAndrade. She leaves many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Blessed Mother Theresa of Calcutta Church, 800 Columbia Road, Dorchester, Saturday November 12 at 10:00 AM. Relatives and friends invited. Visiting hours at Dolan Funeral Home, 1140 Washington Street, DORCHESTER LOWER MILLS, Friday 5-9 PM. Interment Cedar Grove Cemetery, Dorchester.

Albertina B. Cardoso died at her home in Dorchester, Wednesday November 9, 2011. She was 86 years old. Beloved wife of Ambrosio Cardoso, who died in February. Loving mother of Sabina Tiodora Goncalves, Manuel Egidio Cardoso, Guilherme Cardoso, Maria Alina Rosa, Maria Nova Baptista, Maria Marcelina Rosa and Joao D. Cardoso. Funeral service at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 49 Winthrop Street, Roxbury, Friday November 11 at 10:30 AM. Relatives and friends invited. Visiting hours at Dolan Funeral Home, 1140 Washington Street, DORCHESTER LOWER MILLS, Thursday 5-9 PM. Interment New Calvary Cemetery.

Rita A. (Marchi) DiPietro, of Norwood, formerly of Dorchester (Clam Point) and Arlington, November 5, 2011, beloved wife of the late Frank A. DiPietro. Loving mother of Frances D. Garland of Framingham, Steven V. DiPietro of Abington, Lorraine Cove of Arlington, Richard A. DiPietro of Arizona and the late Phillip A. and Robert A. DiPietro. Sister of the late Mildred Galvin, Charles Marchi, Catherine Marchi and Loretta Bombaci. Rita is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Saint Ambrose Church, Dorchester on Thursday, November 10 at 10:00AM. Relatives and friends invited. Interment National Cemetery, Bourne at 12:45PM. Visiting hours at the Dolan Funeral Home, 1140 Washington St. DORCHESTER LOWER MILLS, Wednesday, 4-8PM. Due to cemetery restrictions on flowers, donations in Rita’s memory may be sent to St. Ambrose Church, 240 Adams St. Dorchester, MA 02122.

Clare Marie Walsh, of Milton, died at her home after an illness on November 5, 2011. Clare was a retired Education Specialist for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Clare graduated from Xavier University in New Orleans, Louisiana and received her Masters Degree from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. Prior to her employment in Massachusetts, she taught at disadvantaged elementary and junior high schools in Texas, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Illinois and New York.

She was the beloved daughter of the late Charles and Winifred (Feeney) Walsh. Cousin of Roseann Cholewinski of South Boston. Clare is also survived by her friends: Carmen Jaramillo of Dorchester and Helen Sevagian of Milton. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Saint Elizabeth Church, Milton on Thursday, November 10 at 10:00AM. Relatives and friends invited. Visiting hours at the Dolan Funeral Home, 460 Granite Ave. MILTON on Wednesday, 3-7PM. Interment Mount Benedict Cemetery, West Roxbury.