Zankowski Dolores A. (Cecere), 81, passed away unexpectedly on November 21, 2010 at the home of her daughter, Darlene Z. O’Keefe, in Peabody, Massachusetts.
Dolores was born in Boston’s North End and was the daughter of Lucia (DiGiulio) and Alberto Cecere. She had 10 siblings: brothers Joseph, Albert, Carmen, Michael, Rocco, Thomas, and John, all who pre-deceased her. She is survived by sisters Rose Marie Arguin of Berlin, New Hampshire, Anne Costarelli of Saugus, and Jennie Gulino Covotta of Milford. "Auntie Dottie" is also survived by many nieces and nephews. She attended Boston and Cambridge schools and graduated from Dorchester Daly High School, with all 12 years of school taught by Boston's Sisters of St. Joseph. After high school, she attended nursing school and then Mansfield Academy, where she received her degree and became a licensed hairdresser.
Dolores married her beloved husband, Anthony, in 1951. With more than 120 family and friends in attendance, the couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at a golden jubilee party in Nahant in 2001. Anthony passed away in 2004.
With her husband, Dolores raised four children. A stay-at-home mother, she was a prolific cook, often producing large batches of Italian “gravy” simmered all day, complete with meatballs, sausages, pork, and bresaola. At Christmas time, Dolores baked hundreds of Christmas cookies, which she shared with friends and family. Family celebrations centered around food and good conversation at Dolores’ home in Revere for more than 50 years.
Dolores’ life revolved around her family. She is survived by daughter Denise Winter and her husband Edward of Revere, Darlene and Detective Thomas O’Keefe of Peabody, Doreen M. Zankowski, Esq. and her partner Billie Jean Potter of Boxford, and son John A. Zankowski. Because family was so important to Dolores and Anthony, they made the decision in the early 1960s to keep their son John, who is autistic, home with the family. Dolores was a fierce advocate for John, often taking him to doctors’ appointments at Boston's Children’s Hospital via multiple bus and subway rides. Dolores fought to get John placed at the prestigious May School in Chatham, where he received state-of-the art care and schooling for several years. John lives with Denise and Edward Winter in Revere.
Dolores was immensely proud of her four grandchildren: Kimberly Winter and Daniel Winter of Revere, Tara Diefenbach and husband Paul of Peabody, and Tina O’Keefe of Peabody. She was also the proud great-grandmother of Mia Rose MacLean, whose parents Kim Winter and John MacLean live in Revere.
Dolores was also deeply religious. She was a communicant for more than 60 years of St. Anthony’s Church in Revere. She supported the church and many missions throughout the world through donations and prayers. Her daily prayer list was composed of the names of many friends and family, who believed Dolores’ prayers miraculously were sent straight to God’s ear. She rests with God now.
Funeral from the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons-Bruno Funeral Home 128 Revere St Revere on Saturday November 27th at 9:00 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Catholic Burial in St. Anthony’s Church, Revere at 10:00 a.m.. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. Visiting hours on Friday from 4-8 p.m.Interment Holy Cross Cemetery. Donations made be made in Dolores's honor to the American Diabetes Association, www.diabetes.org.