Obituary of Elaine F. Deering

Elaine Frances (Finneran) Deering, a woman who was filled with love and kindness passed away after an extended illness at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center in Burlington, surrounded by her family, on May 5, 2022. 

Elaine was born in Jamaica Plain. She was the daughter of the late Frances & John Finneran.  She had a wonderful childhood growing up on Green St. and graduating from Jamaica Plain High School.  After high school she worked for Bell New England Telephone for many years until the birth of her first child.  When her children were older, Elaine went back to work.  She worked at the Fresh Spot in Burlington until it closed and then went to work for Spencer Cleaners in town for many years. 

Elaine met her husband Bill in Boston and the two were married for 43 years until his passing in 2001.  Elaine and Bill made Burlington their home in Burlington in 1965 and together they raised three children.  Elaine, Bill and the kids had wonderful memories of summering at the family cottage in Madison, NH and going to Old Orchard Beach in Maine.  Elaine was an avid Boston sports fan. She supported the Bruins, Patriots and her beloved Red Sox.  She was also her children’s number one fan never missing any of their games or events.  Elaine bowled in a Tuesday night league at Brunswick Bowladrome in Burlington for many years and had lots of fond memories and many friends.  She also went to Foxwoods on many occasions with friends and neighbors.   Elaine enjoyed walking her neighborhood with her great friend Maria Limonciello and talking to all her neighbors on Lanter Lane.  Elaine was a loving and supportive mother to her daughter and son-in-law and to her two sons.  Elaine was feisty, tough and very independent. 

Elaine was the devoted wife of the late William Deering. Loving mother of Lisa F. Cox & her husband Stephen of North Reading, William P. Deering of Dracut, and Brian J. Deering of Burlington and his girlfriend Laurie Valente & her daughter Madison of Burlington. Sister of Gail Ministeri & her husband Guy of Tewksbury, Donna LeBlanc & her husband Robert of Norwood, Paul Finneran & his wife Julie of Norwood, and Mary Wathen & her husband Martin of Wesley Chapel, FL. Also survived by many nieces and nephews, cousins, friends, and her dogs Sophie and Mazie. Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., Burlington on Wednesday, May 11 from 4:30 to 7:30pm. Funeral from the Sullivan Funeral Home on Thursday, May 12 at 9am, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church in St. Veronica Parish, www.stveronicama.org, 111 Winn St., Burlington, MA at 10am. Services will conclude with a burial in Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington. 

Memorials, in Elaine’s name, may be made to the Northeast Animal Shelter, www.northeastanimalshelter.org, 347 Highland Ave, Salem, MA 01970 or the Sarcoma Foundation of America, PO Box 98160, Washington, DC 20090-8160 www.curesarcoma.org