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Edna M. (Matthews) Dankens

Family & friends are invited to attend Visiting Hours on Friday, November 22nd beginning at 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m., in the Vertuccio & Smith, Home for Funerals, 773 Broadway (Rte. 107) REVERE, for Edna M. (Matthews) Dankens, who died on Monday, November 18th at her home in Andover surrounded by her family. She was 93 years old. A Funeral Mass will be held in Immaculate Conception Church (Corner of Beach St. & Winthrop Ave.) REVERE at 11:00 a.m. & immediately followed by interment in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.       

Edna was born & raised in East Boston. She attended Boston Public Schools and was an alumna of Girls High in Roxbury, Class of 1943. Edna was married in 1956 to Charles P. Dankens. The couple settled in Revere and it was there where they made their home. Edna was a very proud housewife & mother of her only child Peter. She raised her son and maintained a beautiful home for her family. During this time, Edna remained quite close with all of her siblings. Edna always put her family above all and was a woman of faith and a woman of giving. Her charitable giving was always done in a quiet manner and anonymously never looking for credit or accolades. She gave from her heart and was always generous when doing so, whether it was a church event, fundraiser, a person in need or just a little something for the busboy at a restaurant. Her giving and caring ways demonstrated her character and her graceful persona. In her later years, Edna returned to work as an Administrative Assistant for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Energy & Resources. During her time working there, she longed to further her education and she enrolled in Boston University as a student while working full time and tending to her responsibilities as mother & wife. In 2000, Edna became a proud Alumna of Boston University, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Art & Art History. She was very proud of this personal accomplishment due to her deep passion for Art & Art History. Edna was an avid traveler to Europe, Canada & other parts of the world and would always frequent museums to learn and to view artwork on exhibit. She was also an avid reader of all types of books & novels. In her later years, she moved to Andover to be closer to her son and daughter-in -law, Maria and her grandchildren. Her grandchildren were her pride & joy and she loved being around them. She was a gracious witty, articulate and very intelligent woman who her family truly cherished & loved.

She is the devoted wife of the late Charles P. Dankens. The loving mother of Peter C. Dankens & wife Maria of Andover. Cherished grandmother of Charles J., Catherine M. & Claire E. Dankens, all of Andover. Dear sister of George J. Matthews & wife Kathleen of Manchester by the Sea, Ann Regan & her late husband Thomas of Belmont, Dr. Wallace J. Matthews, Jr. & wife Sherry Loo of Honolulu, Hawaii and the late Alicia F. Matthews & Joan Peterson. She is also lovingly survived her caring aide Olga Garcia & many loving nieces, nephews, grandnieces & grandnephews.

Services

Visiting Hours

Friday, November 22nd from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Funeral Mass

Friday, November 22nd at 11:00 a.m. in Immaculate Conception Church, Revere

Interment

Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett

In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to Merrimack Valley Hospice, 260 Merrimack St., Bldg. 9, Lawrence, MA 01843. Attn. Development Office.

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4 Messages Send your condolences
  1. Stuart-Palmer Family
    Nov 21 2019

    Sending our deepest sympathy!
    Hawli & Michael Stuart

  2. Patty Regan Ryder
    Nov 20 2019

    Aunt Edna was love, the matriarch of our big family.She was always finding ways to help others, anonymously, because she was one of the few truly compassionate people I ever met.
    She made all feel special, and I remember so many times hearing her great laugh, and moving myself over to her.
    Peter and Maria, I know you miss her terribly, but to me, seeing her infinite love for you was beautiful.
    I love you.
    Patty

  3. Jim Boyle
    Nov 20 2019

    Peter and Maria,
    Our condolences on Edna’s passing.

    Jim and Loretta

  4. Kay and Bob Blaha
    Nov 19 2019

    Edna always had a smile and a kind word for everyone. Her first words were always, “How is your family?” She radiated love and caring and will remain in our hearts.

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To all our families, friends, and residents of Revere, East Boston, and surrounding communities of the North Shore,

We would like to announce that after 37 years of caring for thousands of families at our 773 Broadway location, on January 31st, 2023 we will be officially RELOCATING, to our new location at 262 Beach St., Revere.
On September 30th, 2022, we proudly purchased the Vazza “Beechwood” Funeral Home – DiPietro and Vazza, Inc. A name that has served families for 102 years. We feel blessed that with all of the interest, the Vazza Family chose us to carry on their century old business and family name. We will become Vertuccio Smith & Vazza, Beechwood Home for Funerals. We will continue to honor the Vazza name and continue our commitment the same way that we always have. We also look forward to having both Louis Vazza and Jessica Vazza Ferragamo alongside of us, as we come together as one.
Our reputation has always been our biggest asset. For many years people always wanted us to have a larger facility, now our facility is the largest funeral home in the area. We will be making many beautiful upgrades to allow our families to have the most elegant facility to honor their loved one.
Although this announcement is bittersweet, as we say goodbye to our home, we are forever grateful for all of you for placing your constant faith and trust in us to care for your loved one. We will continue to do what we are best known for.
Thank you for your friendship and continued support.
God bless you all.
Faithfully,

Your friends at Vertuccio Smith and Vazza.

To all our families, friends, and residents of Revere, East Boston, and surrounding communities of the North Shore,

We would like to announce that after 37 years of caring for thousands of families at our 773 Broadway location, on January 31st, 2023 we will be officially RELOCATING, to our new location at 262 Beach St., Revere.

On September 30th, 2022, we proudly purchased the Vazza “Beechwood” Funeral Home – DiPietro and Vazza, Inc. A name that has served families for 102 years. We feel blessed that with all of the interest, the Vazza Family chose us to carry on their century old business and family name. We will become Vertuccio Smith & Vazza, Beechwood Home for Funerals. We will continue to honor the Vazza name and continue our commitment the same way that we always have. We also look forward to having both Louis Vazza and Jessica Vazza Ferragamo alongside of us, as we come together as one.

Our reputation has always been our biggest asset. For many years people always wanted us to have a larger facility, now our facility is the largest funeral home in the area. We will be making many beautiful upgrades to allow our families to have the most elegant facility to honor their loved one.

Although this announcement is bittersweet, as we say goodbye to our home, we are forever grateful for all of you for placing your constant faith and trust in us to care for your loved one. We will continue to do what we are best known for.

Thank you for your friendship and continued support.

God bless you all.

Faithfully,

Your friends at Vertuccio Smith and Vazza.