Marie E. (Fariole) Pedro

Mrs. Marie Eleanor Pedro, age 88, formerly of East Boston, passed away peacefully on September 9, 2022, surrounded by her loving family. 

Born in Boston on May 21, 1934,  she was a daughter of the late Angelina and Robert Fariole and younger sister to Dorothy (Miraglia), Sonny, and Rose. She grew up on Frankfort Street in East Boston where she met and married her husband, the late Edward (Eddie) Pedro. They spent their time at Wood Island Park and while Eddie was deployed with the Coast Guard, they would write letters back and forth. It was on one of these deployments that Eddie called Marie at home and told her he was coming home to ask her a special question. She said yes! They went on to raise three children, Robert, Carol and Joanne. Family was always the focal point of Marie’s life. She was a homemaker for years until her husband’s passing in 1977. Through this loss, she was strong, determined and fiercely independent. As a single parent, she went to work full-time to provide for her family and maintained a steady and loving household. She was always a pillar of love, strength and support for her children and went on to do the same for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

Marie could affectionately be described as a cross between Martha Stewart and Rocky Balboa. She was the toughest woman that you could have the pleasure of knowing, but she’d make sure to feed you, sass you, and make you double over in laughter all in the same afternoon. Marie loved ballroom dancing, Frank Sinatra, and all things sparkly. She was always impeccably dressed and maintained a beautiful home. She was also an amazing cook and hosted Sunday dinners as well as countless family celebrations and holidays at her home. She was the glue that kept her family together and she used these gatherings to make it happen. Anyone attending one of Marie’s gatherings was guaranteed to leave with  a full stomach, a full heart and some of her containers filled with leftovers. She would lovingly pack take-home bags and remind family members that they better bring her containers back next time “or else”!  

Marie had many wonderful friends over the years, including her loving companion the late Leonard (Lenny) Cervone. They were ballroom dancing, travel and life partners and spent many great years together. She was also loved and supported by her best friend Patricia Keane Garchinsky. They were friends for 80 years and even in the last few years when Marie’s memory began to fail her due to Alzheimer’s, she still knew to welcome Pat with open arms and a warm embrace. Throughout Marie’s life she was a dedicated Catholic and enjoyed attending Sunday Mass, especially with her daughter Joanne and son-in-law Greg. 

Another part of her life that brought her tremendous joy was being “Nana” to her granddaughters Lisa, Laura, and Gina as well as her great-grandsons Brandon, Nate, and Adam. Marie never missed an important event in their lives. 

Similar to the words of one of Marie’s favorite songs by Old Blue Eyes, she “did it her way.” Her smile, laugh, and feisty spirit will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

She is survived by her children Robert, Carol, and Joanne, her son-in law Greg, her grand-daughters Lisa, Laura, and Gina and great-great grandchildren Nate and Adam.

The family would like to thank all of those who cared for Marie during her battle with Alzheimer's.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in memory of Marie to the Alzheimer's Association at https://act.alz.org/