Obituary of Lorraine M Nicoli

Lorraine M. Nicoli, a woman of great faith, devoted to family, and endeared by many friends, passed away on Monday night, March 9, 2020.  She was 89 years old.  Lorraine was born in Brighton, the daughter of Daniel and Mary-Ellen Sweeney. Her childhood had many challenges.  Both her parents passed when she was 7 and then 14 years old.  She was born with a heart defect; Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA), an abnormal opening between the pulmonary artery and the aorta.  The condition would typically lead to poor health, limited activity, and an early death.  At the age of 7 1/2 , she was the first person to have successful surgery to correct a congenital heart defect.  The surgery was done by Dr. Robert E. Gross at Children’s Hospital in Boston and is heralded as being the true beginning of congenital heart surgery.   In 1963, The American Heart Association named Lorraine “Heart Mother of the Year.” 

She worked as a nanny for three incredible families in Belmont over the years.  She was deeply connected with all the children she cared for and remained close with them throughout her life.  She was an active member of St. Malachy’s Church and was the church cook for many years.   

Lorraine was devoted to her family.  She was so proud of her sons.  She felt blessed to have 3 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.  She instilled her family values upon them all.  She loved yard sales and was always on the lookout for a something special for everyone else.  She often traveled to Ireland with her sister to Co. Donegal and Co. Mayo to visit with her family and friends. 

Lorraine was the beloved wife of the late Paul A. Nicoli. She was the loving mother of John Nicoli and his wife Joyce of Tyngsboro and the late Paul Nicoli. She was the mother-in-law of Sharon Richardson of Pepperell. She was the devoted sister of Elizabeth Nicoli of Rockport, the late Arlene Riley, Kay Shea, James, Joseph, John and Anna McDermott.  She was the proud grandmother of Christopher Nicoli, Andrea Colliton, and Alison Nicoli. She was the great grandmother of Miles Pappaconstantinou and Melanie Colliton. Lorraine was also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Malachy Church, Burlington on Saturday, March 14 at 10am. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Services will conclude with a burial in Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington.  Arrangements by the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Lorraine’s name may be made to St. Malachy Church, 99 Bedford St., Burlington, MA 01803. For directions, obituary & online guestbook see www.saint-malachy.org or www.sullivanfuneralhome.net