Maureen A. “Rene” Squillante, age 68, resident of East Boston, passed away on Monday, July 18th. Born in the North End of Boston, she was the daughter of Jean C. (Frallicciardi) and the late Ralph F. Squillante. Rene worked as a food vendor and was known as the infamous, original “Canoli Girl.” Patrons would come from near and far just to see her and taste those delicious treats.
Rene had a passion for animals and took great pride in her precious cats and loved them like children: Joey, Shardea and Sammy will surely miss her. She loved making new friends and had a nickname for everyone, and always made them feel like family. Rene was known as a kind soul to all she met. She also loved to dance - anytime there was music she would turn into the "Dancing Queen."
Rene was the dear sister of Debra Squillante Gillis, Cheryl Delano, Jean George and her husband Paul, and Ralph Squillante Jr. She was the loving aunt of Richard, Julie, Jesse, John, Dane, JoAnna, Melanie and Michelle.
Rene’s funeral will be held from the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford on Monday, July 25th at 9 AM followed by a funeral mass celebrated in St. Patrick Church, 71 Central St., Stoneham, at 10 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Services will conclude at the church. Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, July 24th, from 4 through 6 PM in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent in Maureen’s name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memorials Processing, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959, or online at www.stjude.org/donate.