Obituary of Miriam D'Errico

Miriam A. (Short) D’Errico, a homemaker and convenience store owner passed away at the St. Lucie Medical Center in Port St. Lucie Florida on Wednesday morning, August 23, 2017. She was 84 years old. Miriam was born in Newbury, Massachusetts, the daughter of Henry and Alberta Short. Her family owned a pig farm in Byfield, Massachusetts. It was expected that everyone in the family would help to maintain and operate the farm. It was long and demanding work on the farm, but it helped to mold Miriam into the women she would become later in life. Miriam’s small stature did not stop her from being a force to be reckoned with. She had so many roles in life; farmer, waitress, store owner, and even district manager. She did them all well. After her children were grown, she went out and purchased the White Hen Pantry located on Wilmington Road in Burlington. She was so good managing her store, that the White Hen Pantry corporate offices asked her to become a District manager. It was inspiring for her family to see their mother, who was all of 4’ 10” and a woman in a man’s world, be able to succeed and be esteemed by her work counterparts. How couldn’t you love and respect her. She was a little dynamo who could work harder than most, didn’t let barriers stop her, and did it with her special charm and charisma that made loved by her customers and associates. Miriam had this same energy and will at home. Idleness was not in her vocabulary. She gardened, knit, and sewed. One of her most favorite things was cooking. Her home was always filled with sweet and inviting aromas emanating from her kitchen. There was always room at her kitchen table for guests. She enjoyed going to Bingo with her girlfriends. She was so kind, that she would help those with vision problems with their Bingo cards so that they still partake in the enjoyment of the night. She simply enjoyed being with and meeting new friends. She embraced being a grandmother and didn’t let her many health issues stop her from going to their school events, dance recitals, and sporting events. She would amaze fellow fans as she climbed the bleachers and stands with her walker and often layers of warm clothes so she could get a better view of her grandchild playing football, hockey, or baseball. It was her strong will, ability to overcome adversity, and devotion to family that makes her so memorable and loved by those she touched in her life time. Miriam was the beloved wife of the late Albert A. D’Errico. She was the loving mother of Dana Stranger of Johnstown, PA, Pamela Longo & her husband Bob of Longs, SC, Dr. A. Andrew D’Errico of Port St. Lucie, FL, Robin Holmes & her husband Jody of Bonham, TX and Linda Trabucco & her husband Daniel of Burlington. She was the extremely proud grandmother of Kelley-Ann Kennedy, David & Christopher Biondo, and Brianna & Joseph Trabucco. She was the sister of George Short of Byfield, Arline Brooks Gagnon of Salisbury, and late Hattie LaCroix, John, Robert, Henry & Margaret Short. A visitation will be held at the Edward V Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128/95 Woburn side) on Monday, August 28 from 9 AM – 10:30 AM. Followed by Funeral Services at Follen Community Church, 755 Mass Ave., Lexington at 11 a.m. Interment in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Miriam’s name may be made to the American Heart Association, PO Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005.