Gertrude T. "Ginger" Fragnito

Gertrude T. "Ginger" Fragnito died on Thursday, February 15, 2018 in Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston. She was 88. The daughter of Italian immigrants Cosimo and Laura Fragnito, Ginger was a native of the North End, later living in Medford and Brookline, and on Cambridge St. in Boston near Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). Sister of the late Henrietta Donatio, brother-in-law Joseph Donatio, niece Diane Donatio. Also predeceased by sister Antoinette Pignatone and nephew Anthony Pignatone.

After a severe reaction to a prescribed pharmaceutical drug, Ginger could no longer work as a professional hairstylist. With the help of Sen. Ted Kennedy's office, Ginger was then able to attend Suffolk University, earning her Bachelor in Psychology and her Master in Education degrees. She enjoyed volunteering at the MGH mailroom and singing in a choral group that performed for patients at MGH. An accomplished singer and dancer, she loved music, especially the summer concerts on Boston City Hall Plaza. Ginger was a daily communicant at the 4 p.m. Mass at the MGH Chapel and was active with the Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group at the Cenacle in Brighton. She was generous to all; her favorite charities were St. Anthony Shrine and St. Francis House in Boston.

A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Charles Weiss of MGH, for the kindness and empathy shown to her for decades. Also, gratitude to the physicians, nurses, staff and chaplains at MGH and at Maristhill in Waltham for the great care provided to Ginger. And praise for the genuine, enduring friendship of Martha Maguire and the late Mike Carey, for all the assistance they gave Ginger over the years. In addition she also leaves her "nephew", Darryl Madey.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 20th at 11am in St. Agnes Church, 186 Woburn St., Reading. Burial will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford.