Marie Louise Prete Patti

Marie Louise was born on February 20, 1934 in Liege Belgium to Maria Bronckart and Louis Prete. Her formal education was interrupted by German occupation of Belgium during WW2. At that time in Liege all students were required to learn German. In protest parents pulled their children out of school and all schools were closed down. Although Marie had not acquired a formal education she had the life experience of living through and surviving a war...She went on to write a book about her experience in her later years, titled “We will Never Forget” in tribute to the American soldiers that helped to liberate the Belgian people.

As a child she would assist the priest as an altar girl during a time when there were no alter boys available. It is then that she learned to sing many latin catholic hymns and prayers. Having seen and lived through things a child should never have to see, she did not get bitter from the experience but rather had a “joie de vivre”, an
appreciation and joy of life . She recognized and focused on the good in people.

Marie fell in love with her beloved Sicilian that came to dinner one evening at her sister’s home. They were married at the town hall in Liege, Belgium on June 26, 1954. They raised their precious family of two boys Carmen and Louis and one daughter Angela. On April 15, 1961 Marie Louise emigrated to the US with her husband and 3 young children.

Marie Louise created a beautiful home filled with love where she tirelessly cared for her family. Marie loved all kinds of music, classical and modern. Every Saturday she would play her Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass
album on the Grundig stereo and clean the entire house.

Marie worked as a school crossing guard for many years for the Town of Winchester. She loved watching over the children and ensured each child got home safely. She would wait until every last child was picked up by
their parents or safely on their way home.

She had a passion and a green thumb for growing beautiful flowers. She also, together with her husband, grew delicious vegetables and tomatoes and often would share the harvest to the delight of their family, friends and
neighbors. Marie cooked delicious Belgian and Italian style meals and also made cream puffs, pizelles and other mouthwatering desserts.

She adored her grandchildren and enjoyed spending many Christmas’s with them. In later years, together with her husband she enjoyed many holiday dinners with her sons and daughters and other family members.

Marie had a gentle way about her. She had a light in her eye and a smile that would envelope you with kindness and love.

We will never forget you Mom and will always carry your love in our hearts.

Family and friends are kindly invited to gather and share memories with her family on Friday February 3rd from 8:30 - 9:30 in the Barile Family Funeral Home 482 Main St. (RT28) STONEHAM followed by a Funeral Mass Celebrating Marie's Eternal Life in St. Patrick Church 71 Central St. Stoneham at 10 am. Interment will follow in Wildwood Cemetery, Winchester.