WEBSTER – Virginia M. (Dean) Tortorici, 79, died Wednesday, July 20, 2022 in UMASS/Memorial University Campus, Worcester with her family at her side. Her husband of 24 years, Charles L. Tortorici, Sr. died in 2010.
She leaves a son, Brian S. Singelais, Sr. and his fiancée Sarah V. Gudaitis, and a daughter, Dawn M. McKelvain, all of Webster; 7 grandchildren, Hollie A. Iapicca and her husband Raymond of Salem, Brian S. Singelais, Jr. and his girlfriend Stefania Mijal of Putnam, CT, Brittany R. Singelais of Webster, Zachary T. McKelvain of Kingsland, GA, Jordan S. McKelvain of LaVerne, CA, Liam Toothaker and Makala Trice, both of Webster; 3 great-granddaughters, Autumn Singelais, Konoka and Della; 4 siblings, Frederick Dean and his long-time companion Susan Mulvaney Slay of St. Albans, VT, Jacqueline Santella and her husband William of Billerica, Melissa Robertson of Webster and Judith Dean of Quincy; a daughter-in-law, Donna Singelais of Lynn; many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son Edward S. Singelais, Jr. in 2001.
She was born on May 6, 1943 in Everett, the oldest child of Frederick W. Dean, Jr. and Mildred F. (Rose) Dean, graduating from Everett High School in 1961. She lived in Hernando, FL for 6 years before moving back to Massachusetts in 1992. She had resided in Webster since 2003.
Mrs. Tortorici first waitressed at the Hilltop Steakhouse in Saugus. She was then a cashier at a Publix Market in Florida and then at Goretti’s Supermarket in Worcester prior to her retirement. She enjoyed dancing and loved animals, especially cats.
Memorial calling hours will be held from noon to 2:00 PM on Saturday, August 13 in Scanlon Funeral Service, 38 East Main Street, with a service at 1:30 PM in the funeral home. A celebration of her life will follow at a location to be determined. Donations in her name may be made to the Community Cat Connection, 289 Thompson Road, Webster, MA 01570.