Emma M. Merola, M.D.

Waltham – Emma M. (Varvaro) Merola, M.D., of Waltham, died Thursday, April 14, 2011 at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. She was 103.

Emma was born in New York City on January 1, 1908, a daughter of the late Ettore Varvaro, M.D. and Anna (Borghese) Varvaro. Following in her father’s footsteps she decided to become a physician and came to Waltham to attend Middlesex College of Medicine and Surgery, graduating in 1936. There she met her future husband, Dr. Joseph F. Merola, and the two were married on November 30th, 1939.

Dr. Varvaro, as she was known in her practice, saw patients at her office in Waltham until her retirement at the age of 82. In addition to tending to her patients she found time to care for her husband and family of five children. At one time she taught at Saint Charles School in Waltham and was a leader for both the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts. She also belonged to the League of Women Voters in Waltham. In later years, Dr. Varvaro earned a masters degree in psychology from the University of Vermont.

The wife of the late Joseph F. Merola, M.D., she leaves her children, Marianne V. Merola, Joseph F. Merola, Jr. and Henry J. Merola, M.D. and his wife, Rosemary, all of Waltham and her grandchildren, Jonathan, David, Henry, Jr. and Faith Merola. In addition she was an aunt to TJ Merola, Louise (Merola) Neilson, Sherie (Merola) Desaultes, Jane (Merola) McKenzie, James Merola, Mary Lou (Merola) LaFayette, Frank Merola, Robin (Merola) LaBelle, and Christopher, Raymond, Matthew, and Robert Merola, all of Vermont.

She was also the mother of the late Frank R. and Anthony F. Merola and sister of the late Henry Varvaro.

Family and friends will honor and remember Emma’s life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Tuesday, April 19th, from 5 to 8 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Wednesday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Mary’s Church, 133 School Street, Waltham where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Waltham.

Memorial donations may be made in Emma’s name to St. Mary’s Parish Fund. The monies collected will be used to rebuild St. Peters Church in Haiti. Donations can be sent to St. Mary’s Church, 133 School Street, Waltham, MA 02451.