Elizabeth R. Gandolfo

Mrs. Elizabeth Rosemary (Benedetto) Gandolfo, age 94, of West Peabody, died peacefully on Sunday, November 28, 2010. She was the wife of the late Dr. S. Philip Gandolfo, former Principal of the Thurgood Marshall Middle School, formerly known as Eastern Junior High School. She and her husband were high school sweethearts and enjoyed 67 years of married life.

Born in Lynn in 1916, Mrs. Gandolfo was the youngest daughter of the late Frank D. and Rose (Fantasia) Benedetto. She graduated from Lynn English High School Class of 1934 where she was a class officer and from the Lynn Hospital School of Nursing Class of 1937, she was class treasurer. As a young woman, Mrs. Gandolfo played the violin in local orchestras and at the Holy Family Church.

An avid clubwoman, playgoer and gardener, she enjoyed European travel, reading the opera, her pet cats and cooking for her family. Her Italian-American roots were very important to her and she and her husband were founding members of The Bees Club, a local philanthropic and social group of professionals of Italian descent. They were instrumental in raising thousands of dollars in student scholarship funds.

She leaves her two children, Reverend Kenneth A. Gandolfo, O.A.H. and Elizabeth Jane Gandolfo both of West Peabody and several nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late Dr. Elmo F. Benedetto, Lynn educator and sports entrepreneur, Josephine C. Frangipane, Evelyn R. LeMay and Mary St. Arnault.

Elizabeth’s Funeral will be held from the CUFFE-MCGINN FUNERAL HOME, 157 Maple St. Lynn on Wednesday at 10:45AM followed by a Funeral Mass in Saint Adelaide’s Church, West Peabody at 12:00PM. Relatives and friends invited. Interment Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody. Visiting Hours Tuesday 3-7PM.