Marilyn A. (Lombardi) Antonellis

Marilyn A. (Lombardi) Antonellis, 87, of West Newton, died on Saturday, April 13, 2024 in her home surrounded by her loving family. Marilyn married the love of her life, Joseph F. Antonellis in May, 1957. They were happily married for more than fifty-eight years before Joe’s death in January, 2016, and are now together once again.

Marilyn was born in Newton on February 11, 1937, she was the eldest daughter of the late Biagio and Geraldine (Tocci) Lombardi. She was a lifelong resident of Newton and parishioner of Our Lady Help of Christians Church where she was a graduate of the parish high school.

For more than forty years, Marilyn was the Franklin Elementary School secretary in Newton. She became a trusted and beloved friend, second mother to staff and grandmother to generations of students. She was cherished for her kindness, wit and wisdom. Her care for others didn’t stop at the doors of Franklin. In addition to welcoming exchange students into her home, Marilyn, along with her sister, Janet, and good friend, Dotty also helped make the United Cerebral Palsy annual telethon a success, which raised thousands of dollars to help the lives of those with cerebral palsy.  

Marilyn, having learned to cook at her mother’s knee, carrying on the traditions of her family, was an excellent cook and baker. She collected recipes from family, friends and magazines, amassing a library of recipes that will be cherished for generations to come. She was also an expert crafter in ceramics, who enjoyed sharing her talent with friends and family at home and later at a studio that she opened in Newton.

Her greatest source of joy, however, was spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. From holiday and birthday gatherings in Newton, to summers spent at Little Harbor beach, (her “happy place”), there was nothing more perfect for her than watching the kids play from her beach chair, parked in the sand at low tide with her toes in the water. 

She leaves her children, Donna M. Vona of Newton, Lisa A. Mazzola of Watertown and Mark A. Antonellis (Sandra), of Framingham; her grandchildren, Amanda Mazzola, Taryn Velazquez (David), Brendan Mazzola (Kate), Jenna Vona, and Chris Vona (Margot); her great-grandchildren, Maximus, AnaLisa, Jack and Gavin; her beloved sister, Janet Edsall Fields (Alan) and many nieces, nephews and their families.

Family and friends will gather to celebrate and honor Marilyn’s life at The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Friday, April 19th from 4 to 7 p.m. and again at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday morning before leaving in procession to Our Lady Help of Christians Church, 573 Washington Street, Newton where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be private.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105 or at www.stjude.org or to the National Kidney Foundation, Attn: Gift Processing at National Kidney Foundation HQ, 30 East 33rd Street, New York, New York 10016 or at www.kidney.org