Marie DiDomenico
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Published in Boston Globe on October 19, 2023
DiDOMENICO, Marie Loving Mother, Nonni and Prominent Cambridge Resident Marie (Apruzzese) DiDomenico, passed peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on October 17. Treasured wife of the late Sal DiDomenico. Beloved daughter of the late John and Dora (Olivero) Apruzzese. Devoted mother of Senator Salvatore DiDomenico and his wife, Tricia, Lisa Lavoie, Brenda Giunta and her husband, Joseph and Allison DiDomenico and her fiancé, Jonathan Killeen. Cherished grandmother of Emma, Lindsey, Matthew, Salvatore, Marissa, Hailey, Olivia, Ava and Amelia. Loving sister of Lucille Barrett, her late husband, Leo, of Saugus and Vincent Apruzzese, his wife, Beverly, of Burlington. Dear sister-in-law, aunt, cousin and friend to so many.
Marie was born on June 17 in Chelsea, MA. She met the love of her life, Sal, at Moseley’s on the Charles and they never stopped dancing. They married in 1970 and spent over 50 glorious years together. In October of 1969, Marie and Sal proudly opened the doors to Flowers by Sal, which became a pillar in the East Cambridge community. Marie was the backbone of their family business. The flower shop wasn’t just a flower shop, but it was also a place where family and friends gathered. Because of their love of traveling, they also opened and operated Jet-A-Way Travel for many years. Here they brought customer’s vacation plans to life, and where they were known for their many bus tours. Marie & Sal raised four children and Marie was the best mom. In their early years, she was involved in the PTO at their school, here is where she met her lifelong best friends. Marie was the most devoted, generous, patient and loving mother and Nonni. Her love of cooking was known by all. She went on to teach her grandchildren her secret recipes, but most importantly, for her legendary pasta sauce. She loved her grandchildren, being their Nonni was her pride and joy. Seeing them happy made her happy. She was the most selfless woman and had a special bond with each and every one of them. She spent many years babysitting and loved every second of it! She loved her family and always put them before herself, as she did with everyone she met. She knew that the most valuable thing in life was family and treasured every moment with them. She loved family gatherings, holiday celebrations (where she’d cook for three times the amount of food than those that were coming for dinner), annual trips to Disney, cruises, Europe and most recently, their trip to Hawaii and California. She radiated joy that entire trip. She beamed as she watched her children become adults and her family continue to grow, passing on her traditions to the next generation.
Marie loved all things fancy: jewelry, high heel shoes, sunglasses, glitter and glitz. She sparkled from the inside out. Marie also devoted her life to the S.S. Cosmas and Damian Society, in Cambridge, where she was a beloved member, Counselor and Treasurer. She kept the society’s feast, banquets and annual traditions alive for more than five decades. Due to her strong faith and devotion to the Saints, she and her husband brought the annual feast to new heights and made it one of the largest events in the community. She was also a longtime member of the Dante Alighieri Society, Sons of Italy Greater Boston Renaissance Lodge and member of the Pirandello Lyceum. She and her husband were fixtures in the Italian American community. She was also honored and given awards by these organizations for her true dedication and received the ‘key to the city’ of Cambridge. She put her whole heart into everything she did.
Marie was the most gentle and kind woman, who never said a negative word. Everyone she met felt the glow of her warmth and kindness. In 2001, the city recognized her many years of service to the community by dedicating a square to Marie and her husband, on the corner where their flower shop is located. She is an unforgettable presence. Marie was strong beyond measure and proved that more than ever over these past two years. Many say she must have a superhero cape in her closet. She faced every challenge with courage and a smile. She wanted everyone else to be okay, and she had the ability to make everyone feel just that. This explains the kind of person she was. She is a true inspiration to her nine grandchildren. She has taught her family more about strength in these past two years than one can learn in a lifetime. Marie was always there for everyone, and each day she showed how much she loved her family. She was a great friend to so many and you were better for having known her. Her warm smile, calming presence, welcoming way and laugh will be missed beyond measure.
Visiting Hours at the Rogers Funeral Home, 380 Cambridge Street, CAMBRIDGE, on Friday, October 20, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. Funeral from Rogers Funeral Home on Saturday morning, October 21, at 9:00 am. Funeral Mass to follow at St. Francis Church, 325 Cambridge Street in Cambridge at 10:00 am. Entombment will follow at the Woodlawn Cemetery, 302 Elm Street in Everett, MA. Charitable donations in Marie’s memory may be made to Compassionate Care ALS Donate – Compassionate Care ALS. Rogers & Hutchins Funeral Home Arlington & Cambridge rogersfuneralhome.net
