Obituary of Alyce Bertolami

Mary “Alyce” Bertolami, of Burlington, age 87, passed away peacefully at her home in Burlington on Sunday, March 2nd with her devoted husband and children by her side.  She was the loving wife of Salvatore “Sal” Bertolami, with whom she had shared an incredible 67 years, 1 month, and 7 days of marriage.  

Born in Somerville, MA on August 13, 1937, Alyce was one of three daughters of the late Leo and Margaret (Golden) Ronayne. Alyce grew up in Arlington, graduating from Matignon High School in 1955. Shortly after, while working as a clerk at a dry cleaner, she met the love of her life, Sal. Sal would take any opportunity he could to pick up or drop off dry cleaning, just to have an excuse to go see Alyce.  It wasn’t long before they had their first date and their love story began. They were married in 1958 after Sal’s return home from service. Alyce and Sal had the kind of marriage that most people dream of.  Whether they were simply going for a walk together or on one of their many adventures, just being with one another was enough for them.  

Alyce and Sal moved to Burlington in 1959 and began growing their beautiful family. They had 9 children in 13 years and Alyce created a home full of love. As their children grew, their home was a place where her children and their friends wanted to hang out. Alyce never batted an eye at an extra few of her kid’s friends at the dinner table, and welcomed everyone with open arms.  She truly loved having a community around her, and her community loved her back for her warmth, and her genuine nature.  

Faith, family, and community were the most important things to Alyce, and she deeply instilled these values in her family. As a member St. Malachy Church in Burlington, Alyce gave back to her community assisting with baptisms, teaching confirmation class, and serving as a Eucharistic Minister, administering eucharist to the sick for many years. Alyce also loved being part of the “lady wobblers” bowling league.  A lifelong Red Sox fan, rooted in her special friendship with Johnny Pesky, she enjoyed watching games at home or on the first base line at Fenway.

When their children were grown, Alyce and Sal became world travelers. Together they visited many parts of the U.S. and all over the world. She especially loved her special trips to Sicily, where Sal’s family was from, and Ireland, where her family was from. They took these trips many times, with many of their family members. 

Alyce was a devoted grandmother and a constant presence in the lives of her 27 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. There wasn’t a dance recital, sporting event, performance, or birthday party of theirs that she or Sal missed. She loved hosting family holidays and their backyard parties became something their loved ones looked forward to every year—especially the 4th of July.  

Alyce will always be remembered for her humble demeanor and her quick wit. Her greatest gift was the unconditional love she shared with everyone around her and she lived her life putting the people that mattered to her most first. The lasting memories that she gave her loved ones will be cherished for the rest of their lives. 

Along with her loving and devoted husband Sal, Alyce is survived by her 9 loving children, Barbara Jenkins and her husband Gary of Amherst, NH, Carol DeFilippo and her husband Sal of Wallingford, CT, Diane Burke and her husband Buzz of Billerica, Rick Bertolami and his wife Janice of Burlington, Janet Shapiro and her partner Paul Barcley of Stockton Springs, ME, Joanne Zeolie and her husband Bill of Amherst, NH, Maureen Catino and her husband John of Newburyport, John Bertolami and his wife Lisa of Wilmington, and Mike Bertolami and his wife Kristina of Newburyport; her dear grandchildren, Amanda Coffey, Erin Jenkins, Jaclyn Goodrich, Ally Lasso, Amy Iannelli, Tommy Burke, Valerie Bertolami, Danny Bertolami, Emily Downey, Joe Bertolami, Sophia Shapiro, Anthony Zeolie, James Zeolie, John Catino, Nicole Wilson, Jack Bertolami, Gina Bertolami, Olivia Bertolami, and Lucia Bertolami; her 8 beloved great-grandchildren, Luke Coffey, Ben Coffey, Nico Iannelli, Chris Iannelli, Ava Wilson, Everlee Wilson, Lily Goodrich, and Mae Claire Zeolie; her treasured sister, Leona Mathews and her husband Bill of Lee, MA, as well as many other dear relatives and wonderful friends.

Alyce was a dear sister of the late Margaret “Peggy” Colby, whom she missed terribly since her passing in 2020.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend visitation on Sunday, March 9th from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., Burlington.  Her Funeral will begin at the Funeral Home on Monday, March 10th at 9 a.m. with a Funeral Mass to be held at 10 a.m. at St. Malachy Church, 99 Bedford St., Burlington.  Burial will immediately follow at Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington.  As an expression of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, donations in Alyce’s honor may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.