Leonilda ‘Lee’ DeMarkis

LEONILDA “LEE” DeMARKIS-Of Tewksbury, formerly of Woburn, Tuesday, February 16th. Beloved wife of the late James W. DeMarkis. Devoted mother of Janice E. Barch her late husband Daniel of Andover, Linda D. Cailler her husband Dennis of Tewksbury and Lillian A. Favreau her husband Mark of Thousand Oaks, CA. Dear sister of Philomena LaRocque her late husband Gilbert of Nahant and the late John Colannino. Cherished “grandma” of Sondra Longo, Daniel Barch Jr., Craig Cailler, Jonathan and Andrew Favreau and “great grandma” to Olindo Longo and Ava Cailler. A Funeral will be held from the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main Street, Woburn on Saturday, February 20 at 10:45 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Charles Church, 280 Main Street, Woburn, at 11:30. Interment in Woodbrook Cemetery, Woburn. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend calling hours Friday from 4-8 p.m. Remembrances may be made in Lee’s memory to the Children’s Wish Foundation, 8615 Roswell Road, Atlanta, GA 30350.

OBITUARY:

Leonilda “Lee” DeMarkis passed away at the Lowell General Hospital Tuesday evening, February 16th. The beloved wife of the late James W. DeMarkis, she was ninety four years of age.

Born in Wakefield, Lee was one of three children born to the late Anthony and Bernadine (Luciano) Colannino. Raised and educated in Wakefield, Lee was a graduate of Wakefield High School with the Class of 1939.

One evening she was at a dance in Wakefield with friends and was introduced to a fine young man, James. Well along came 1943, they married and began their journey together which spanned over fifty six good, good years. They nestled into Woburn where they have remained. Three wonderful children blessed their lives and to whom they were thoroughly devoted.

When in the kitchen she was masterful! Dinners were always a delight. Her culinary adventures crossed the continents but when it came to Italian or Greek cooking, no one compared, she was the best. All of this was taking place while she worked full time at Sylvania.

Following Sylvanias closing Lee then went to work for a clothing store for a bit and finished out her career working at the High School here in Woburn.

Lillian was quite proud of her children and when her grandchildren came along, well she couldn’t have been happier. “Grandma” was there for everything! Birthdays, games, performances, academic awards, holidays and sometimes just visiting, it was all about them. She had a very special place in her heart for each one.

Lee was always a wonderfully positive person, who was very strong throughout her life. She remained as “sharp as a tack” right up to the end. She loved a good conversation about politics or sports. Both these subject areas she had terrific knowledge. A faithful golf watcher, she hardly ever missed a match and was always there for the championships and Masters!

Lee lived a life that was full. A very happy and pleasant woman throughout her life, she had the love, admiration and respect of all.

Sadly, Lee was predeceased by her parents, her husband James, her brother John Colannino, her son in-law Daniel Barch and her brother in-law Gilbert LaRocque.

She is lovingly survived by her children, Janice E. Barch of Andover, Linda D. Cailler her husband Dennis of Tewksbury and Lillian A. Favreau her husband Mark of Thousand Oaks, CA, her sister, Philomena LaRocque of Nahant, her grandchildren, Sondra Longo, Daniel Barch Jr., Craig Cailler, Jonathan and Andrew Favreau and her great grandchildren, Olindo Longo and Ava Cailler.

A Funeral will be held from the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main Street, Woburn on Saturday, February 20 at 10:45 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Charles Church, 280 Main Street, Woburn, at 11:30. Interment in Woodbrook Cemetery, Woburn. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend calling hours Friday from 4-8 p.m. Remembrances may be made in Lee’s memory to the Children’s Wish Foundation, 8615 Roswell Road, Atlanta, GA 30350.