Obituary of Jean Venuti

Jean J. (Olivieri) Venuti passed away at the Delray Medical Center in Florida on Monday morning, September 11, 2017. She was 74 years old. Jean was born in Brookline. She was the daughter of the late Joseph and Bernice ''Abbie'' (Silverio) Olivieri. She was raised and educated in Somerville. She worked as an Administrative Assistant at Mass-Vac in Billerica, retiring after 23 years with the company. She loved her work there and made many friendships throughout the years. Jean raised her three children in Billerica. She was a protective mother who always put her children first. She was steadfast in teaching her children life-skills. She was proud to have raised them to be strong, independent and self-sufficient people who value, respect and love each other first and foremost. If you asked Jean what her favorite past-time was she would say “her family.” She especially loved her three grandchildren. Jean had an unwavering devotion to her family which she expressed in the simple acts of love and kindness. Jean was extremely proud of her Italian heritage. She was resolute on passing her heritage on to her children and grandchildren especially during the holidays. Christmas Eve was her favorite. She would host an open house for her family, friends and neighbors, preparing all of the cultural dishes. Jean loved to cook and her home was always filled with the aromas of her Italian fare. One of her specialties was her homemade fudge. You were considered one of the special ones in her life if you received a box of her fudge as a gift. If you were Jean’s friend you had a friend for life. She was the type of person who kept in touch with childhood friends, former neighbors and coworkers. In recent years Jean had retired to Lantana, Florida with her life partner, Butch. They had a wonderful life together in Florida enjoying the warm climate and making new friends in the community in which they lived. Jean will be remembered as a beautiful and elegant woman who touched many lives through the years. She will be missed by all those who loved her. Jean was the beloved companion of Walter “Butch” Swanson of Lantana, FL. Loving mother of Robert Venuti & his wife Sandra of Melrose, Suzanne Venuti-Cohen & her husband Ron Cohen of FL, and Donna Venuti of Wakefield. Sister of Joseph Olivieri & his wife Bonnie of Melrose. Proud grandmother of Sophia Dawson and Alexandra & Matthew Venuti. A Memorial Wake will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt., 128/95 Woburn side) on Sunday, Sept. 17 from Sunday from 4-7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in St Andrew’s Church, 47 Talbot Ave., North Billerica on Monday, Sept. 18 at 10:30 a.m. Interment to follow in Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington. In lieu of flowers memorials in Jean’s name may be made to the St. Jude Children’ Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.