Briana Shelby Zuppa passed away peacefully at the age of 32 with her family and close friends by her side on April 10, 2024. As a lover of literature, it feels only appropriate to tell her story in the likeness of one of the many novels she loved to read.
The first chapter of the beautiful story of Briana Shelby began at The St. Margaret Center for Women in Dorchester MA on March 30, 1992. Too excited to wait, Briana and Courtney surprised Mom and Dad by arriving in this world early, Bree weighing just 1 lb. 13 oz. Twin to Courtney Shelby, the girls were given the gift of a best friend from their very first breath of life. The first several months were spent battling for life in the NICU. Both girls defied all odds, and aside from some minor health setbacks, grew up with an otherwise magical childhood. Briana was always a good helper, so it made sense that she became a Brownie and later a Girl Scout, and not just for the cookies... but those were certainly some of her favorites.
Bree’s story continued in her school years, where she embraced many fulfilling hobbies like karate and singing in the choir. During high school she met a nice young man named Vinny Palermo that she thought would be a perfect match for her twin sister and introduced them. Luckily, she was right. She graduated from Woburn High and once again exceeded expectations by progressing to Middlesex Community College earning an Associate of Arts degree, then a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Salem State. Her dedication to her education demonstrated her deep love and admiration for classic literature and fantasy fiction and proved that determination and heart hold no bounds.
A common theme woven throughout her story shows Briana as the heroine, the helper and friend. Briana was a fiercely independent woman who deeply valued human connections and routine. She loved making her nightly FaceTime calls to Grammy, helping Mom around the house and going with her to church, having lunch with Dad at the 99 and going to Barnes and Noble, taking a walk to the blue house every day, and returning to Mom with her Bunny Report. She loved her Disney trips, walking Horn Pond in Woburn, taking trips to Target and online shopping for clothes and anything Anime themed and always, reading. She deeply valued her relationships with her cousins, with piles of memories and traditions with both the Zuppa and Eckstrom families through the years like Christmas Eve and swimming at Aunt Jeanne and Uncle Mike’s pool. She treasured her friendships with Roy and Maria, and most of all, she treasured time with her forever best friend and twin sister Courtney. In her job at the Woburn Nursing Home, Briana was a helper there as well- bringing dinner and a smile to the residents and completing her tasks with pride, precision and with unfaltering loyalty.
In the most recent chapter of her story, Briana entered battle yet again, this time against a terrible infection that took over her throat and lungs. She fought as hard as she could but this time, the bad guy won, and the heroine of the story was taken away from the world too soon. But unlike many of Briana’s favorite books, this story doesn’t end here. In an ironic twist to the next chapter, our sadness and loss means that prayers were answered for three different families who received the gift of Briana’s donated organs. With both of her kidneys donated to two different women and her liver to a young man, Briana’s legacy and spirit remains very much alive, and our beloved main character’s role as a helper continues.
Though the heroine of our story can no longer be here with us in this physical life, Briana’s childlike innocence remains with us through our memories of her sweet demeanor and the permanent impact she has made in all our lives. She leaves behind Mom Susan (Eckstrom) Zuppa of Woburn and her companion Roy Lima of Pelham NH, Dad Ronnie Zuppa and his companion Maria Seniti of Revere, her dear twin sister and best friend Courtney (Zuppa) Palermo and husband Vinny of Woburn, many cousins, aunts, and uncles including her Godfather John Eckstrom of Bridgewater, along with countless family and friends.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the angels at the Lahey hospital for taking the best care of Briana during her stay. Family and friends are welcome to attend a celebration of life at 10 AM on April 29th at First Congregational Church at 1 Church St. in Stoneham MA.