Obituary of Josephine M Preble

Josephine M. (Crimaldi) Preble of Burlington, formerly of Cambridge, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, November 8, 2023.  She was 93 years old.  Josephine was born in Cambridge.  She was the daughter of Agostino and Antonette (Fedele) Crimaldi.  Josephine was one of seven children. She grew up and was educated in Cambridge.  Her first job was with Jordan Marsh.  It was there that she met and fell in love with one of her co-workers, Herbert P. Preble, Jr.  They were married in 1952 and purchased their forever home in Burlington in 1956.  Over the years, Josephine worked part time at Solid State Testing in Burlington and then at Marshalls distribution center in Woburn.  However, she always considered herself as a wife, mother, and homemaker.  She created a warm and loving home and was always there to support and encourage her children.  Family vacations were often road trips which included camping.  She and her family frequented Eastern Slope Campground in North Conway, New Hampshire yearly.  In 1972, the family drove to Daytona Beach for a vacation.  At one point in Florida, cars were all pulling off to the side of the road, so they did as well.  It was just a matter of chance that they were in the right place at the right time to see the launch of the Apollo 17 mission to the moon.  There were also family summer vacations on Cape Cod.  As the children became adults, she and Herb purchased a sailboat and became members of the Jubilee Yacht Club in Beverly.   She always enjoyed the socials and the comradery there.  There was one memorable trip aboard a windjammer cruise, when Herb was enlisted to be an unofficial member of the crew.  Herb was in his glory, but Josephine would have much preferred being on a large cruise ship.  After Herb’s passing, Josephine traveled with friends and family on several cruises, two trips to Italy, and numerous mini escapes offered by the town.

Josephine’s Catholic faith was very important to her.  She was a regular parishioner at both St. Margaret’s and St. Anthony’s Parishes.  Josephine was an independent woman right up until her passing.  She kept active through her involvement at the Burlington Council on Aging.  She participated in their socials, exercise classes, weekly Bingo, and numerous craft classes.  She also volunteered at the Winchester Hospital for many years.  She was a member of a Bowling League at the Woburn Bowladrome as well.  She took many cake decorating and ceramics classes offered at the Burlington Recreation Department.  Her Birthday cakes were works of art and something her children and grandchildren always looked forward to.  She loved hosting the holidays, family dinners, and being a part of all her family’s lives, activities and celebrations.  They will remember her delightful smile, her kindness, and the love she shared with them all.

Josephine was the beloved wife of the late Herbert P. Preble, Jr.  She was the proud mother of Elaine DeDonato & her husband Steve of Nashua, NH, Clifford Preble of N. Reading & his companion Lisa Lee, Kathleen Langone & her husband Steve of Nashua, NH, and Craig Preble & his wife Kelly of Tewksbury.  She was the sister of Julia Hanley of Brownsville, VT, Mary Picardi of Woburn, Irene Carpenter of Burlington, Salvatore Crimaldi of Belmont, Carol Meller of Wisconsin, and the late Nicholas Crimaldi.  She was the proud “Nana” to Stephen DeDonato, Jr, Matthew DeDonato, Jason DeDonato, Ryan DeDonato, Kristina Heath, Steven Langone, Kyle Preble, Connor Preble, and Cameron Preble.  She was the great grandmother of Aviana, Benjamin, William, Henry, Theodore, Owen, Leo, Raegan, and one more on the way. 

Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., Burlington on Tuesday, November 14 from 4-7pm. Funeral from the Sullivan Funeral Home on Wednesday, November 15 at 9am, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Margarets Church in St. Veronica Parish, www.stveronicama.org, 111 Winn Street, Burlington, at 10am.  Services will conclude with a burial at Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington. 

Memorials in Josephine’s name may be made to the Burlington Council on Aging, 61 Center Street, Burlington, MA 01803. 

For online guestbook and video tribute see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net