DUNN, Bernadette “Tina” (Frankina) Of Needham, born December 18, 1926 and passed away July 2, 2017 after a long and amazing life. Beloved wife of the late Francis Earl Dunn the love of her life who predeceased her in 2013.
Tina took pride in being the entire family’s matriarch guiding her three children, nine grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren to faithful, honest, family oriented grateful lives.
Daughter of the late Vincenza and Antonio Frankina, they settled in Boston then Needham after World War II to raise their family. Tina worked as a hairdresser in Needham at Stephen & Roberts and then Jimmy’s Coiffures. She went on to help build and develop her son’s restaurant Dunn Gaherin’s in Newton Upper Falls dictating the recipe of her signature food items from its inception. Chef of Mom’s Chili, Meatloaf, and many other items.
Loving mother of Robert E. Dunn of Sandwich and his partner Seana Gaherin, Denise A. Centola and her husband Gus of Medfield, and the late John A. Dunn and his surviving wife Meredith of Westwood. Grandmother of Nicholas Centola and his wife Maggie, Kristen Gorman and her husband Mike, Anthony Centola and his wife Stacey, Daniel and Keriann Centola, Michelle Andre and her husband Jay, Suzanne Dunn, and Adrianna and Andrew Dunn. Great-grandmother of of Christopher, Daniel, Vincenza, Little Tina, Dante, and Caspiano.
The family gives special thanks to her two nurturing caregivers Betty Garcina and Josephine Kymugistta.
Funeral from the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 1305 Highland Ave., NEEDHAM, Friday, July 7 at 10:30am followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Joseph Church, Needham at 11:30am. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Visiting hours at the funeral home Thursday, July 6 from 4-7pm. Interment private.