Emma Cecilia Abely, a devoted Catholic, dedicated her life to her faith, her family, and her love of history and literature. She died on Wednesday March 25, two weeks before her 95th birthday.
The oldest of three children, Emma was born in Brookline, MA on April 8, 1920 to Enrique Naranjo Martinez and Emma de Medina of Colombia. She began writing in her youth, publishing her poetry while at the College of Practical Arts and Letters at Boston University (class of 1940). She inherited a love of history and literature from her father, who served as Consul General of Colombia and lectured for Harvard University regarding South American history and culture.
While writing was a passion that she pursued throughout her life, Mrs. Abely had a varied career, serving as an Executive Secretary at companies including Polaroid and Graybar Electric. She later worked as a translator for Addison-Wesley and as a Spanish teacher at the Reading Public Schools while raising her family.
It was at Graybar Electric where she met her husband, Edward C Abely. They were married in 1948 and moved to Reading, MA, where Mrs Abely was an active community member for more than 60 years. A member of the Friends of the Library, the Reading Historical Society and the American Antiquarian Society, she developed an expertise in mid nineteenth century New England writers. These authors, her Catholic faith, and her love for nature and Boston history, served as muses for her own poetry. Mrs Abely was also a 20 year Vice President of AARP and a long-time officer for the International Toastmistress Club, which granted her several national awards for her speeches.
She leaves behind her daughter, Rita Seru-Gardner of Natick, son, Edward Abely of Framingham, and three grandchildren Sandra, Elizabeth and Alan Seru. Mrs. Abely will always be remembered for her grace, strength of character, and loving commitment to her family. She will be greatly missed.
Her family thanks the kind and loving staff of St Patrick’s Manor in Framingham, where she had resided since 2013. A funeral mass will be held at St Patrick Parish in Natick on Monday, March 30 at 10am. Internment at St Joseph’s Cemetery in West Roxbury.
Arrangements by John Everett and Sons Funeral Home Natick MA