Dolores Marie Camille Benvenuto Perella, or “Mama”, as she was called by her many friends, grandchildren, grandchildren’s friends, and anyone who wanted to be her grandchild or friend, passed away surrounded by love on April 17, 2021. Her family and friends have no doubt that during her lifetime, she amassed enough assets to earn herself a 1st class nonstop ticket to Heaven.
Born November 23, 1936 in East Boston, Dolores and her sister, Barbara (Gedrimas) grew up with loving parents, Louis and Frances Benvenuto of Avellino, Italy. At the age of four, the family relocated to Frederick Ave in South Medford. On August 18,1957 Dolores wed the late Anthony Perella. They moved downstairs from her parents and next door to his. Eventually they would be joined by multiple relatives all living within a stone’s throw from one another. There she would live for the next eighty years.
Dolores was the most devoted and loving mother to Susan Minchello and her husband, Michael, of Medford and her son, Vincent and wife, Wendy McCool Perella, of Woburn. She is survived by her grandsons Matthew Minchello, Vincent Perella Jr and Christopher Perella, all of Medford. Her pride and joy, she would boast to everyone how handsome, smart and loving they were. She would also like to take credit for most of it, and deservedly so.
Dolores bids a loving farewell to “The Cavalry”- her nieces Cheryl Rath, Donna Begin, Laura Collier, and Lynn Collier all of Medford, and her best friend of 75 years, Frances Annand. They, as well as her dear friends and neighbors Anne, Debbie and Cristian were always there through good times and bad. She also leaves her great nieces and nephews, loving cousins, and many wonderful friends.
Dolores began work as a bookkeeper for a law office in Boston. After staying home to raise her two children, attending every football game, dance recital, cheerleading practice, school event and field trip, Dolores reentered the work force and spent the next 40 years as a dental receptionist in Medford and Melrose. A true people person who lived for conversation, Dolores had a following of patients who would suffer through dental work just so they could visit her.
Thanks to 23 and Me, Dolores would love to shout out to the world that she is 90.5% Italian!! As true Italians do, she enjoyed the “tasty” things in life…. anisette with her dad, making pizzelles, zeppolis, soup with the little meatballs and stuffing artichokes. Never could you leave her house without eating. Oh, and please, “It’s gravy, not sauce”!
LIKES: socializing, CNN, lobster, Marlboro Light 100s, buffets, dancing, sun bathing, chocolate, tissues, her backyard, any cocktail you would serve her, sitting in her front hall talking to passersby, roses.
DISLIKES: her walker, quiet, lima beans, NO smoking signs, Trump, winter, sunscreen, thunderstorms, flying, boats, being told what to do or to hurry up.
Whether you had met her for five minutes or knew her forever, Dolores, made an immediate impact and lasting impression on everyone. Dubbed “The Mayor of Medford Square” by her friends and family, she leaves behind an abundance of friends and admirers. A heart of gold, she was selfless and warm. Smiles for everyone, polite and kind words to all, acknowledging you and making you feel like you were to only person that mattered. The earth has lost a great one, but Heaven has gained an angel.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to visit at the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford, on Friday, April 30th from 4 through 8 PM, and again on Saturday, May 1st at 9 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10 AM in St. Joseph Church, 118 High Street, Medford. Services will conclude with burial at Oak Grove Cemetery.