ALBERTA RASKAUSKAS

RASKAUSKAS, Alberta (Malinauskas) 97, of South Boston died peacefully in her sleep on October 25, 2018. Devoted daughter of the late Antoinette (Bradzunis) and John Malinauskas. Beloved wife of the late Peter Raskauskas. Cherished mother of Mr. Peter J. Raskauskas of South Boston and Dr. Paul A. Raskauskas and his wife Lane of Naples, FL. Loving sister of the late Joanna Malinauskas of Arlington, the late Pauline Selines and her husband George of Arlington and the late Theresa Jarosiewicz and her husband Zigman of Cambridge. Devoted grandmother of Lauren, Leigh Hatch and her husband Andrew, Jane and Jonathan - Alberta rejoiced in her grandchildren.

Alberta grew up during the great depression and was always frugal, humble, kind, and industrious - traits that were instilled by the experiences of that period. Alberta led a life of accomplishment and service. Alberta beloved to a group of lifelong friends who grew up together in the Lithuanian American community of East Cambridge. She and her friends attended Immaculate Conception Grammar School, St. Mary's High School and nurses training at Mount Auburn Hospital. Alberta and her friends then enlisted in the US Army Nursing Corps because they wanted to serve their country during World War II.

Initially assigned to a hospital in New Haven, CT, Alberta was a member of the team that received a unit citation for the first use of penicillin as an experimental drug. Alberta was then shipped out to Great Britain in the buildup for D-Day. Upon arrival in the north of Wales, the nurses discovered that the Army had not yet erected barracks for the troops. Initially billotted to private homes, four nurses had to sleep together in the same bed with their clothes on due to the lack of central heating and the cold weather. Alberta served the duration of the war at the 68th General Hospital.

After the war, Alberta rejoined her lifelong friends at Boston University where she earned a Bachelor Degree and a Master Degree on the GI Bill. Alberta later earned a second Master Degree from the Boston Teacher's College.

Alberta served on the Board of Directors at the Cambridge Lithuanian Club and occasionally did volunteer work for the Lithuanian Convents in Brockton and South Boston.

Alberta and her husband Peter were devoted to the education of their sons and were pleased when both sons were accepted at Boston Latin School and later at Harvard University. Alberta worked in a variety of healthcare occupations and later changed professions to become a school teacher. Alberta taught primary grades for sixteen years at the Michael J. Perkins School in South Boston.

Our family would like to thank Pratt Diagnostics, the Visiting Nurses Association, the Visiting Angels, and the Care Dimensions Hospice for the care which enabled Alberta to spend her last years at home. At Alberta's request, there will no visiting hours. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Peter's Lithuanian Church in South Boston on Saturday, November 3, 2018 at 10 AM and will be followed by interment at Forest Hills Cemetery. Friends and family are invited to attend.