Edith A. (Martin) Penzone

Lancaster – Mrs. Edith A. (Martin) Penzone, of Lancaster, formerly of Waltham died Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at her home. She was 93.

Edith was born in Waltham on June 22, 1924, a daughter of the late Thomas and Delia (Egan) Martin, and was a graduate of Saint Mary's High School. On July 4th, 1948 she married her sweetheart, Brooklyn, New York native Anthony A. Penzone in Saint Mary's Church and the pair made Waltham their lifelong home.

Anthony and Edith were married just short of nineteen years when multiple myeloma claimed Anthony's life on January 4, 1967. Their marriage was short but happy and their devotion to one another and to their children was unrivaled.

And so, relying on her faith, her family, her instinct and her intellect Edith joined the workforce finding a job at General Wholesale in Waltham to support her kids and to keep her home. Shortly after the company moved to Chelmsford she left and took a position with the Waltham School Department as a secretary in the athletic department. Before retiring she'd become the supervisor of the school system's bookkeeping department long before computers made the job easier.

Ever the optimist Edith loved life, her family, and her friends. She was a source of inspiration, strength and grace to those around her. In retirement she loved to travel with her children and her grandchildren on trips across town or across the country. She always had her bag packed.

For years books were her ever present companions and she often read several a month. Every trip to the store meant at least one mystery novel in the cart. She also found time for fun puzzles and challenging crosswords almost every day.

She leaves her children, Donna M. Qualitz, Anthony A. Penzone (Dawn), all of Hudson and Karen A. Riccio (Philip) of Lancaster; her grandchildren, Adam Qualitz (Kasy), Jason Qualitz (Sashi), Matthew Penzone, Shane Penzone (Jennifer), Michael Riccio (Amber), Geoffrey Riccio (Justine) and Alexa Riccio; her sisters and brother, Mildred Bertolami, Thomas Martin, both of Waltham and Frances Buteau of Mashpee and many nieces and nephews.

Edith was also the mother-in-law of the late Joseph Qualitz and sister of the late Mary Maher, Frederick, John, Florence and Irene Martin.

Family and friends will honor and remember Edith's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Monday, March 19th from 4 to 8 p.m. and again on Tuesday morning when her funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Waltham.

Memorial donations may be made to Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, 383 Main Avenue, 5th fl., Norwalk, CT 06851 or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.