Obituary of Loretta L. Arrigo

LINK to livestream of funeral mass

Click on the link (above) to connect to the funeral home's facebook page (sign-in is NOT required).  A livestream of the funeral mass will begin a few minutes before 12:30 on Tuesday, May 23rd.

Loretta Lane Arrigo passed away suddenly on Thursday May 18th at the age of 86 surrounded by her family.  She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother.  Loretta was born in East Boston, Massachusetts and was the daughter of the late Anthony and Rose Lane.  Loretta grew up in East Boston and graduated from East Boston High School.  A devoted mother, Loretta worked 20 years of “Mother’s Hours” at Sears in Burlington so she could be home for her children.  She retired only to then open Nana’s Day Care where she showered love on her grandchildren.  Loretta was an avid cleaner and shopper.  It was many days that she started cleaning the house only to be in the stores shopping in the afternoon. She never settled when buying a gift.  She always had to find the special item for her special people.  Her favorite music was the sound of her family laughing or maybe the vacuum.

Loretta met her loving and dedicated husband, Jim Arrigo when they worked together at WR Grace in Cambridge and that was the start of a beautiful 59-year marriage.  They married in 1961 and settled in Burlington in 1963.  Her family grew to four children and eleven grandchildren, and they were her life.  She was their cheerleader, friend, councilor, and mentor.  Family was always first for Loretta. Loretta had the ability to always listen, support and show love to all.

Loretta vacationed for many years with her sisters and their families. Trips to Lincoln Park, Paradise Park, Onset and C&J Cottages. On the first day of vacation, Loretta could be found cleaning the cottage for the upcoming week.  She loved to be outside and working in her garden.  On Friday nights Loretta, Jim, Peg, Jim, Irene, and Tee would always be found playing cards at one of their houses.  One night your jar was overflowing and the next week it was empty but there was always laughter.  Loretta loved to have all her sisters and their families over for the 4th of July cookout.  She loved to bake cookies with her family and was famous for her Peanut Blossoms.  Loretta was described as the original fashionista.  She never missed her 8:00am Saturday appointment with Terri.

Loretta was the beloved wife of Jim.  Loving mother of Donna & her husband James Judge of Burlington, Kenny & his wife Karen of Burlington, Michael & his wife Sharon of Upton MA and Lori & her husband Doug Smith, of Burlington.  Proud grandmother of Kyleigh, Jay & the late Lauren Judge, Michaela Elliott & her husband Brandon, Tony, Cameron, and Morgan Arrigo, Nicole, Jared, Robert, and Matthew Smith.  She is survived by her sister Patricia O’Shea, sister-in-law Mary Ann Arrigo and brothers-in-law Pasquale and Joseph Arrigo. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and those who considered her their second mother. She is predeceased by her siblings Richard, Irene, and Margaret.

Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., Burlington, MA (Exit 52 off Rt. 128/95 Woburn side) on Tuesday, May 23rd from 9:30 - 11:30am.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Malachy’s Church of St. Veronica Parish, 99 Bedford St, Burlington, MA also on Tuesday, May 23rd at 12:30pm. Services will conclude with burial at Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington.    

Live-stream link of the funeral mass is at the top of this page. 

Memorials in Loretta’s name may be made to Beyond Celiac @ BeyondCeliac.funraise.org (Please reference djudge624@comcast.net)