Irene V. Liston

IRENE V. (RENE) LISTON, 85, lifelong resident of Somerville passed away, peacefully after a short illness, at Bear Hill Rehabilitation and Nursing in Stoneham, MA, on July 2, 2021.

Rene was born on August 22, 1935 to the late Evelyn G. (Yeo) and Edward J. Liston, Sr.  Rene was a 1953 graduate of St. Joseph’s High School and a graduate of Emmanuel College.  Rene made her vows in 1956 and served 15 years in the order of The Sisters De Namur (of Notre Dame), as Sister Evelyn Edward, and spent a lifetime practicing her unshakeable faith.  During her years in the convent, Rene also taught English and Spanish at Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth, MA.

After departing her sistership, Rene served for over 30 years as payroll coordinator for Bradlees Department Store in Somerville where she made many lifelong friends.  She retired from Bradlees in 2000 and a year later returned to her education roots as a Foster Grandmother at St. Anthony’s and St. Catherine’s schools in Somerville, where she volunteered until 2017.

Rene was the beloved sister of the late Evelyn Murphy and her husband Lonnie, Patricia McDonald and her husband Frank and Edward J. Liston, Jr. and his wife Gail.  She was the treasured Aunt, confidante and friend to many nieces and nephews including Marion Liston, Irene Boudreau and her husband Dan, Kathleen DiNapoli and her late husband Bob, Michael Murphy and his wife Lisa, Michelle Rinaldo and her husband Chuck, Susan Nionakis and her husband Michael, Patricia Murphy and her husband John and William McDonald and his wife Mary.  Rene was also “Auntie” to many great, and great great, nieces and nephews.  She was a true and loyal friend to her best, lifelong friends, Jeanette Shields and Mary Ann Smith.

Rene will be lovingly remembered as a deeply spiritual woman who was always true to her faith.  She was always compassionate, and kind, and will be truly missed by all who had the great fortune to know her.  Rene was an old movie aficionado and avid reader who also enjoyed frequent trips to Foxwoods, playing computer Club Pogo and her monthly card games with her “Girls’ Club”.  She was an animal lover and true companion to her cats Midnight, Tippy and Pretty.  In her memory, please feel free to make a donation to St. Joseph’s Church.

Calling Hours will be held in the George L. Doherty Funeral Home, 855 Broadway (Powder House Sq.) Somerville, on Tuesday, July 20th from 9:30AM - 11:30AM. Followed by a Funeral Mass celebrated in St. Joseph Church, Union Sq., at 12:00 Noon. Relatives and friends invited to attend.

Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden.

In her memory, please feel free to make a donation to Saint Joseph's Church, 262 Washington Street, Somerville, MA 02143.