DiRienzo, Alice A., 97, of Westwood, formerly of Falmouth and Dedham, passed peacefully into the next life at home on October 28th after a brief illness. She was the beloved daughter of the late Daniel & Emily (DeSimone) DiRienzo. Alice was predeceased by both her older sister Gloria (DiRienzo) Ciallella and her younger brother Joseph M. DiRienzo, and their spouses.
Alice lived a long and rich life. She was a lifelong devout Catholic who prayed the Rosary every day. Her faith was her lodestar.
Alice was an excellent student and after high school attended a secretarial program. Her intelligence and stellar work ethic took her from a secretarial position in a small pension company to the position of Executive Assistant to the President of what is now Willis Towers Watson, an international insurance, pension and benefits company. She also functioned as the office’s “mother hen,” loved by so many, but particularly befriending the children of the office staff. She kept track of all their birthdays, and kept a drawer filled with “goodies” should they come in to visit.
Even to the end of her life, Alice remained friends and was in regular contact with many members of her work family. Alice was rich in friends, not just those gained throughout her long career, but many others that she acquired along the way. Alice was generous with her time and love for so many. She supported many worthy causes throughout her life.
Alice’s greatest love, outside of God, was her family. She was predeceased by one nephew, and is survived by eight nieces and nephews, their collective children and grandchildren. Having family gather together was one of the greatest joys of her life, and every year she would host a large and loud summer family gathering at her home in Falmouth.
In Alice, the world has lost a strong and remarkable woman. Rest in Peace, Alice.
Funeral from the George F. Doherty & Sons Wilson-Cannon Funeral Home, 456 High St. DEDHAM on Friday, November 4, at 10:30am followed by a funeral Mass in St. Denis Church, Westwood at 11:30am. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Visiting hours on Thursday, November 3, from 4-7pm. Interment in St. Joseph Cemetery, West Roxbury. In lieu of flowers, donation can be made to Catholic Charities, 275 West Broadway Boston, MA 02127 (ccab.org), or The Jimmy Fund, P.O. Box 849168 Boston MA 02284 (jimmyfund.org).