Amy M. DeMilia

ROCKPORT — Amy M. (Mackey) DeMilia, 90, wife of the late Anthony J. "Buster" DeMilia, of Rockport, died peacefully at her home on Thursday night, July 3, 2008.

She was born in Rockport, on Jan. 8, 1918, daughter of the late Matti and Josefiina (Harju) Mackey.

Amy was born and raised in Rockport, attended Rockport schools and was a graduate of Rockport High School, Class of 1936. As a young woman she spent several wonderful summers working at the Straitsmouth Inn.

In her 20's, she moved to Cambridge where she met and married her beloved late husband of 64 years, Anthony "Buster." They lived and raised their family in Cambridge until 1988 when she and Buster fulfilled a lifelong dream of returning to live in Rockport.

Amy was very proud of her Finnish heritage and was a member of the Cape Ann Finnish Singers, Spiran Lodge and the Edward Peterson Post 98, Rockport American Legion Auxiliary.

She was an active and faithful member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Lanesville.

Among her many passions were her love of family and friends, singing, gardening, her deep appreciation of nature, and the landscape of Rockport. She had a "green thumb" and loved all living things. Plants and people flourished on her back porch and in her home.

As a member of "the Ladies of Front Beach," she and her circle of friends were a familiar site as they gathered on their favorite spot, for over 50 years, to watch their children and grandchildren play, discuss the events of the day (sometimes in Finnish) and to bask in the beauty of their surroundings.

Amy is survived by loving sons, John DeMilia of Hampton, N.H., Peter DeMilia of Beverly; a daughter and son-in-law, Judith and Vincent Micozzi of Cambridge; daughters-in-law, Audrey DeMilia of Rockport, Barbara DeMilia of Salisbury; 10 grandchildren, Betsy Manzelli and her husband Michael of Hamilton, James M. DeMilia Jr. and his wife Jackie of Fort Myers Beach, Fla., Kathy DeMilia Beck of Rockport, Traci Budrow and her husband Bill of Rockport, Albert-Michael Micozzi and his wife Meagan of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, Amy Elizabeth Micozzi of Watertown, Anthony Joseph "Buster" DeMilia of Salisbury, Debby Aquaro of Haverhill, Kelly Hobbs of Beverly, Trisha Merritt and her husband Ryan of Wake Forest, N.C.; honorary grandson, Brendon Brown of Rockport; 11 great-grandchildren, Brianna and Allison Manzelli, Ashlyn and James Michael DeMilia III, Samantha and Derek Budrow, Christopher Aquaro, Wesley Taylor, Amber Hobbs, Riley and Amelia Merritt; a brother-in-law, Michael DeMilia of Barling, Ark.; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband "Buster" and son, James M. DeMilia; two sisters, Ruth Crossett, Beatrice Carlson; a brother, John "Jukey" Mackey; mother and father-in-law, Joseph and Maria DeMilia; sisters-in-law, Anna Cimorelli, Jennie DeGregorio, Lucy Cronin, Mary LaFlamme, Rose Carceo; brothers-in-law, Ganio, Pat and Louis J. DeMilia; a dear niece, Nancy Polycrones; and several dear friends.

ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be held in St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1123 Washington St., Gloucester, on Wednesday morning, July 9, at 11 a.m. Visiting hours will be in the Burgess and Mackey Funeral Home, 201 Main St., Rockport, on Tuesday 5 to 8 p.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited. The burial will be in Locust Grove Cemetery, Lanesville. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to the St. Paul Lutheran Church "Building The Dream" Fund, 1123 Washington St., Gloucester, MA 01930.