Dorothy Barbara (Melander) Benullo

DOROTHY BARBARA (MELANDER) BENULLO – in Woburn, January 9th at the age of eighty four. Beloved wife of the late Michael J. Benullo. Devoted mother of Michael J. Benullo Jr, his wife Martha of Burlington, Steven E. Benullo, his wife Nancy of Littleton and the late Gerald “Jerry” Benullo. Dear sister of Richard Melander of Billerica and the late Carl Melander. Cherished “Grammy” of John Romano, Nicholas and Jason Benullo. A Funeral Service will be held in the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main Street, Woburn, on Friday, January 13th at 10:00 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited to call Thursday evening, from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Remembrances may be made in Dorothy’s memory to the Massachusetts Alzheimer’s Association, 480 Pleasant Street, Watertown, MA 02472 or to the Woburn Senior Center, 144 School Street, Woburn, MA 01801.

OBITUARY:

Dorothy “Barbara” (Melander) Benullo passed away Monday evening January 9th, amongst her loving family. The wife of late Michael J. Benullo, she was eighty-four years of age.

Born in Burlington, Barbara was the only daughter of the late Charles and Dorothy (Nuttall) Melander. Barbara was raised and educated in Burlington, having spent her entire growing up years there.

While attending a dance at Billerica Town Hall one evening, she was taken by this young man there who was dancing the night away and was very good at it! He in turn was watching Barbara dancing who was as light on her feet as he was. They met! It was the beginning of a three years relationship and in 1953 they married and journeyed over the next forty five years together, dancing at every opportunity over all those years.

They nestled in to North Woburn where they made their home and devoted themselves to their three wonderful sons who kept them mighty busy!. Barbara was an extremely loving and devoted mother; attending all of her sons hockey, football, and baseball games and participated in any and all functions relative to their involvement. During ther summer months Barbara and Mike would venture off to Salisbury, enjoying some fun in the sun at the beach with their boys.

Barbara had a real knack for planning parties, gatherings, cookouts and trips. She and Mike had for years done alot of planning trips to Foxwoods and when Mike could no longer, Barbara continued on also planning trips for the Senior Center.

Barbara throughly enjoyed going to the theatre, especially the North Shore Music Theatre, where she had a membership for many years with he long time friends. Barbara and the girls also enjoyed many years of being on the Woburn Bingo Circuit, travelling to the different halls and churches.

Over the years “Grammy” loved being “Grammy” as her grand children brought her so much joy. She was always found attending any and all of their sporting events, as well as just spending some real quality time with them.

Barbara lived life to the fullest. She made the most of every opportunity. Barbara was always “doing” for her family, friends, senior center and citizens of Woburn. Full of alot of energy she embraced life, enjoying every minute of every day, always doing for others.

Sadly Barbara was predeceased not only by her parents, husband Michael, brother Carl Melander but also her son Jerry Benullo.

She is lovingly survived by her children Michael J. Benullo Jr, his wife Martha of Burlington, Steven E. Benullo, his wife Nancy of Littleton, her dear brother Richard Melander of Billerica. Cherished “Grammy” of John Romano, Nicholas and Jason Benullo. A Funeral Service will be held in the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main Street, Woburn, on Friday, January 13th at 10:00 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited to call Thursday evening, from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Remembrances may be made in Dorothy’s memory to the Massachusetts Alzheimer’s Association, 480 Pleasant Street, Watertown, MA 02472 or to the Woburn Senior Center, 144 School Street, Woburn, MA 01801.