Takla (Sabby) Calabro, of Medford, formerly of Boston, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 2nd at the Sunrise Living Center in Lynnfield. She was 93.
Born in Boston, she was the daughter of the late Elias and Rose (Rahwan) Sabby and attended local schools. Following graduation she went on to further her education and obtained a certificate. She and her husband Anthony married in 1949 at the St. Raphael Church in W. Medford. The two together built their family with love and devotion.
Takla was also known to many by her maiden name, Sabby. Early in her career, Sabby worked for Filenes and Jordan Marsh. She loved working and speaking with people and always said she never met a person she didn’t like. Later in her career, Sabby worked for Stop & Shop. Working at the supermarket gave her much joy and she loved working with her fellow co-workers Dot, Donna and Fran. Sabby worked at Stop & Shop for fifteen years and recently retired in April of 2016. In her spare time, Sabby loved selling Jimmy Fund tickets for children with cancer. At the Jimmy Fund fundraisers, Sabby had a kissing booth that after someone purchased five or more tickets, they’d receive a kiss from her. She loved spending time with her family and always felt that her niece Rosemary was the daughter she never had. Her love for Rosemary was the greatest. She was a wonderful wife, mother, sister, daughter, aunt and friend. Sabby will be remembered for being a woman of great faith who was always loving and caring.
Sabby was the beloved wife of the late Anthony P. Calabro, with whom she shared many loving years of marriage. She was the devoted mother of John J. Calabro and his wife Agusta Agustsson of Melrose, Leon Calabro and his wife Susan of VT. The loving grandmother of Paul, Agust, Svana, Adam, Bradley, and Kimberly. She was the dear sister of the late Touffee Sabby and the dear step sister of the late Leo and John Kasab, Marie Andrews, and Celia Khouri. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins. Sabby was preceded in death by her companion Anthony “Spud” Romano.
A funeral service will be held at the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main Street, Medford, on Monday, January 9th at 11AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held on Sunday from 4 through 8PM. Services will conclude with interment at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent in Takla's name to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Division of Development/Jimmy Fund, PO Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168.