Thelma A. (Colaneri) Pelagatti, 97 of Lynn and Tewksbury, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at Blaire House Assisted Living Center. She was the widow of the late Manrico Pelagatti who passed away in 2002 after over 50 years together.
She was born on September 17, 1927, in the Bronx, NY, to the late Bertrando and Virginia (Zerilli) Colaneri. Raised in New York, she attended local schools and went on to earn a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics from Hunter College in New York, followed by a Teaching Certificate from Salem State College.
Thelma devoted over 30 years of her career to teaching junior high and high school students mathematics in Lynn.
She had many interests. She loved the outdoors with her husband and hiked all the NH 4000 footers. She was always game to travel anywhere and with her son, visited nearly all the national parks in the country. Her favorite place was Alaska, which she visited three times and celebrated her 85th birthday in Anchorage. She loved animals and was awed at the wild animals spied on her trips.
During leisure time, like her mother before her, she was an avid reader of mysteries and thrillers. Growing up in NY, she followed the Yankees, but once here adopted the Red Sox, Bruins and celebrated the many championships of her beloved Celtics. With her daughter, she held season tickets for over 30 years.
She is survived by her daughter, Anne Pelagatti; and her son, James Pelagatti. She was an optimist and an incredibly loving and generous mother.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the MSPCA or the Jimmy Fund.
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