Obituaries 06-13-2019

Judith ‘Judy’ ‘Meme’ Cammarata

An extraordinary woman whose spirit will never leave those who knew her

Judith ‘Judy’ (Mercurio) Cammarata was born on August 17, 1933 to Michael and Elizabeth Mercurio along with her twin sister and lifelong  partner-in-crime, Janice. Together, the Judy and Jannie show was the main attraction at family gatherings for 86 glorious years. Tales of their often strange and “creepy” twin connection still come up in conversation. Stories of showing up to events dressed eerily similar with no knowledge of what the other was planning to wear, or Judy getting a funny feeling in her arm and calling up her sister asking if she had hurt her arm only to find out that she in-fact did, and even sharing labor pains proved how truly and unbelievably close they were. They would often be seen in the background at family gatherings, wearing their famous aprons, preparing dinners and treats for their eagerly awaiting families, and cleaning up after they had fed everyone to the point where no one could move from their seats. They laughed together, they cried together and lived their lives to the end together, passing away exactly seven months to-the-day apart.

A lover of family, friends and traveling, Judy went on many adventures with her family including to “Virgin-E-ah” and her beloved “IT-LY” on multiple occasions, but wherever she was in the world, you would always find her standing next to her husband with a giant smile on her face, surrounded by those who loved her.

Their greatest adventure together would be the family they brought into the world. Judy would become the mother of three loving daughters who. in turn. blessed her with seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, each sharing in a special, unique and unbreakable relationship with their beloved Meme (all of whom still claim to be the favorite.) She would never miss school plays, sporting events or gatherings. And, though she may have been sitting in the audience, to all of her grandchildren she was always the real star of the show, as they, and their friends always looked around the crowd to make sure they saw her.

She may have been the grandmother of seven, but she was Meme to countless friends, classmates, and neighbors.

And to answer the question once and for all, Janelle was, and continues to be, Meme’s favorite. 

A devout Catholic, Judy was an active member of St. Mary of the Assumption Church and the parish Women’s Club in Revere, where she would be constantly found lighting candles and praying for her friends and family. She was an avid bowler, member of the Suburbanites’ Bowling league and involved in countless church activities.

Judy does not leave behind anyone, because her spirit will never leave those who knew her. She is survived by her adoring husband, Sonny, her daughter, Susan and husband, James Forte of Saugus, daughter, Cheryl Cammarata of Revere, daughter, Phyllis  and her husband, Thomas Yewcic of Stoneham, her granddaughter, Kristen and her husband, Ryan Flynn of Merrimack, New Hampshire, granddaughters Elizabeth Forte of Beverly, Meredith Stavrinos of Medford, MichalaStavrinos and her fiancé, Alex Shea of Revere; granddaughters: Janelle and Julia Yewcic and grandson Thomas Yewcic, all of Stoneham, and great granddaughters, Mia and Madeline Flynn.

She will be dearly missed by her brother. Robert Mercurio and his wife, Grace of Falmouth, her older sister, Aida Mageau of Dennis and her brother-in-law, George L. Gonnella, Sr. of Peabody, all of her nieces, nephews and cousins for whom she had a special place in her heart, and countless  friends and neighbors, all of whom had the good fortune to know her.

As we all look back at this extraordinary woman who led such an extraordinary life filled with such extraordinary love, we are reminded how lucky we all are because for some reason God loved us all enough to put us on this earth at the same time as Judy Cammarata.

Visiting Hours are today, Wednesday, June 12, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Vertuccio& Smith Home for Funerals 773 Broadway, Revere and family and friends are invited to gather at the funeral home again on Thursday, June 13 at 9:30 a.m. to prepare and proceed to a Funeral Mass at St. Mary of the Assumption Church (670 Washington Ave., Revere) at 10:30 a.m., immediately followed by interment at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. 

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the A.C.F. Famiglia Scholarship Fund, 14 Joseph Road, Revere, MA 02151. For more information, please visit  www.vertuccioandsmith.com.

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