Verna Cefalu

Verna (Verrico) Cefalu, formerly of Revere, MA and Peabody, MA, passed on to her new life with God on May 29th, 2025, under the gentle care of hospice and surrounded by family in her family’s home.

Born on April 13, 1938, Verna was a third generation Revere, MA resident where she graduated from Revere High School Class of 1955, was married at St. Anthony’s Church, and raised a fourth generation family there. Later in life, she made her home in Peabody, MA, and there continued to nurture generations of her family.

Verna retired from Houghton Mifflin Company in Boston after many years of dedicated service as executive secretary to two successive presidents and where she had many friends. Yet, her true life’s work was her devotion to her family as a mother, and as a loving and supportive second mother to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren whom she cherished deeply. She also cherished her active life-long friendships with her Revere friends, those from elementary and high schools, to her neighbors, to her group of St. Anthony’s CYO Band mothers and their families.

A lifelong Catholic and faithful member of St. Anthony’s Church in Revere, Verna remained deeply committed to her faith even when she could no longer physically attend Mass. An avid and talented knitter, Verna created and shared hundreds of hand-knit afghan blankets, sweaters, hats, and gloves throughout her life, gifting these to family, friends, and charitable causes alike. She was a voracious reader, and found joy in traveling, especially to Italy and to visit family and friends across the country.

Verna was the beloved wife of the late Gaetano F. “Guy” Cefalu of Revere, MA and Porticello, Sicily. She was the cherished sister of the late Loretta Verrico, of Revere, MA, and the devoted daughter of the late Joseph and Laura (Terminiello) Verrico of Revere, MA.

Verna is survived by her three children Joseph Cefalu and his wife, Kathleen of Ipswich, MA, Christopher Cefalu and his wife, Pamela of Peabody, MA, and Maria (Cefalu) Parsons and her husband, Paul of Methuen, MA. She is also survived by her five grandchildren Derek Retalic of Saugus, MA, Rachael Charest of Salem, MA, Christopher Cefalu of Saugus, MA, Thomas Cefalu of New York City, NY, and Christina Cefalu of San Francisco, CA, and her two great grandchildren Jordan Cefalu and Dean Charest.

Verna Cefalu will be remembered as a blessing to all who spent time with her. She exuded a warm smile and a humorous wry wit. She quietly possessed and gracefully modeled a spirit of humility, kindness, generosity, and self-sacrificing love, an example and gifts she passes on to those she loved.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 5, 2025 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm at Buonfiglio Funeral Home,128 Revere Street, Revere, MA. A funeral service will be held on Friday, June 6, 2025 at 9:00am at Buonfiglio Funeral Home, followed by a 10:00am Mass at St Anthony's Church, Revere, MA, and interment at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett, MA.