Margaret D. DiBenedetto

METHUEN — Margaret Dolores DiBenedetto, 83, of Methuen, formerly of Lawrence, passed away Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008 at the Massachusetts General Hospital, surrounded by her children and friends that loved her.

She was born in Lawrence on Dec. 7, 1924 to Giovanni and Maria (DeMarco) DiBenedetto of Italy. She was one of seven children. Margaret was educated in the Lawrence Public Schools and graduated from Lawrence General Hospital School of Nursing in 1946.

In the 1950s, she worked at the McCarthy Clinic in Lawrence and subsequently as a Surgical Nurse at Orange County Hospital in Southern California. After making a remarkable recovery from polio, Margaret returned to Lawrence. During the decades that followed, she continued her career in Geriatrics as Director of Nurses in select nursing facilities here in the Merrimack Valley. Margaret forged a professional reputation for safeguarding patient dignity and providing exceptional care. She retired from nursing in 1992.

Throughout her life, Margaret was a caring and giving person, her kindness and compassion were unconditional. She cared for members of her extended family while working and raising her two children. Margaret built a warm and loving home for her family, and she touched the hearts of all who knew her.

Margaret is survived by her children, Christina Maria DiBenedetto and Robert John DiBenedetto, both of Methuen.

ARRANGEMENTS: A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, Oct. 24, 2008 at 9 a.m. in St. Monica Church in Methuen. At Margaret's request, there are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, a memorial gift may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or visit www.stjude.org. To place an online condolence or for more information, please go to www.breenfuneralhome.com.