Obituary of Pauline Emma Alberghini

Pauline Emma Bresette Alberghini passed away on December 7, 2018 surrounded by her family at the Burlington home she shared with her daughter and son-in-law, Donna and Patrick O’Brien, where for many years she had lived and was cared for lovingly. She was born on February 28, 1927 in Woonsocket, RI to Henry Napoleon Bresette and Mary Amelia Keefe Bresette. She moved to Winooski, VT where she started school and then to Norwood, MA where she grew up. Pauline loved horses and began riding at an early age. During World War II while she was in high school, she was a member of the Aircraft Warning Service of the Civil Air Patrol. She patrolled the wooded areas of Norwood during air raids as a spotter keeping watch for enemy aircraft with her horse, Dusty. She graduated from Norwood High School in 1944 and attended Vesper George School of Art in Boston, MA. Her professional career began as a window designer for Shreve, Crump & Low in Boston, MA. After raising her family she worked at the Meadowbrook Elementary School and Temple Nursery School, Temple Shalom Emeth in Burlington, MA and then opened her own in-home day care helping to raise children who, as adults, continued to stay in touch with her. She later attended Middlesex Community College in Bedford, MA earning an associate degree in Gerontology and worked as the Arts Director at Windsor House Adult Day Center in Somerville, MA. In her retirement she enjoyed working at McDonalds. Her most important life’s work was devoted to caring for others, raising her children, and opening her home to extended family. This value of caring for others in need was passed along to her children and became their most important lesson in life.

Pauline enjoyed painting and the arts. She spent much of her time creating personal gifts with her artistic talents for her friends and family. She also enjoyed the fun and peace of any ocean. She treated her family to more than 40 years of summer vacations on Cape Cod creating amazing memories and a lasting bond among her grandchildren. Pauline was a communicant of St. Margaret’s Parish in Burlington, MA where she was involved in many programs, most notably the Religious Education of thousands of its young parishioners. Pauline had wit, wisdom, and grace, which touched the lives of all who knew her.

Pauline is survived by her seven children: Laura M. and her husband, Francis J. Ventimiglia, of Gloucester, MA; Paula E. widow of James Dickman of Holden, MA; Donna M. and her husband, Patrick O’Brien, of Burlington, MA, Carla M. and her husband, David Burke, of Harwich Port, MA; Lisa B. and her husband, Peter J. Roche, of Winthrop, MA; John A. and his wife, Cheryl, of Burlington, MA; and, James A. of Hanover, NH. Also surviving are her 17 grandchildren: Mark Ventimiglia and his wife, Laura; Michael Ventimiglia and Laurie Cairns; Frank Ventimiglia and his wife, Clarissa; Maria and her husband, Daniel Juden, all of Gloucester, MA; Matthew Ventimiglia and his wife, Arlene, of Mount Pleasant, SC; Daniel Dickman and Julia Dickman of Holden, MA; Meghan and her husband, Jassen Mercier, of Burlington, MA; Michael O’Brien and his wife, Kerin, of Methuen, MA; Patrick O’Brien of New York, NY; Micaela Bagley and her wife, Meg Krueger, of Austin, TX; Matthew Alberghini of Burlington, MA; Nolan Alberghini of Leominster, MA; Kael Alberghini of Salem, MA; and, Alma Alberghini of Greeley, CO. She is also survived by 12 great grandchildren, two brothers Dr. John Bresette and his wife, Kathleen, of Barnstable, MA and Richard Bresette of Munroe, GA, her dear friend and sister-in-law Irma Alberghini McGuff of Somers, CT, and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Pauline was predeceased by her father-in-law and mother-in-law – Louis and Mary Alberghini, two sisters-in-law – Alma Alberghini and Laura Alberghini, a brother-in-law, Thomas McGuff, her son-in-law James Dickman, and her dear friend Mary Lou McGuff Foley.

Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn Street, Burlington (exit 34 off Rt. 128/95, Woburn side) on Thursday, Dec. 13 from 4-8 p.m. Funeral from the Sullivan Funeral Home on Friday, Dec. 14 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, Burlington at 10 a.m.   Interment in St. Francis Cemetery, Pawtucket, RI.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Winchester Hospital Breast Care Center, 41 Highland Avenue, Winchester, MA 01890; St. Margaret’s Parish, 111 Winn Street, Burlington, MA 01803; or, a charity of one’s choice.   For directions see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net or www.stmargaretburlington.org