Gilda M. (Barbero) Albanese, age 99, a lifelong resident of East Boston, passed away on July 12, 2023. She was the beloved wife for 27 years of the late John L. Albanese until his death in 1986.
Born, raised, and educated in East Boston, Gilda was the daughter of the late John and Catherine (Ricciardelli) Barbero. She graduated from East Boston High School and the Forsyth School of Dental Hygiene. Gilda worked for several dentists during her career, but her primary focus was always her family. A Secular Franciscan, she was a devout Catholic, who dedicated her life to caring for family and friends. For example, she loved to cook for people, her specialties included meatballs, eggplant parmigiana, cutlets, and anise cookies. Gilda found special joy in celebrating family events like birthdays and Holidays (Independence Day was a favorite of hers!). Her joy was infectious, and soon everyone would be gathered around her!
Gilda was the devoted mother of Dr. Mark J. Albanese and his wife Jennifer Marie of Winchester. A son, John J. Albanese, predeceased her. She was the loving grandmother of Ariana (Jackson), Elena, Chiara, Marcus, Ian and Maya Albanese. She was also the dear sister of John Barbero, Jr. and his late wife Nancy of East Boston, the late Rose Ricciardelli and her late husband John, the late James Barbero and his late wife Julia and the late Eleanor Barbero. She was the cherished aunt of many Albanese and Barbero nephews, nieces, great nephews and nieces, and great-great nephews and nieces. Visiting Hours will be held in the Costello Funeral Home, 177 Washington St., Winchester, on Friday, July 21, from 6-8PM and again on Saturday, July 22, from 8:30-9:30 AM before a Funeral Mass in St. Mary’s Church,155 Washington St., Winchester, at 10AM. Burial is private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Gilda’s memory may be made to: St Jude Children’s Hospital, Catholic TV, Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, and Habitat for Humanity.