Maxine T. (Tassinari) Teixeira
Family & friends are invited to attend Visiting Hours on Tuesday, October 24th from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. pm in the Vertuccio & Smith, Home for Funerals, 773 Broadway (Rte. 107), Revere for Maxine (Tassinari) Teixeira, who died unexpectedly on Friday, October 20th, at Boston’s Mass. General Hospital. Her Funeral will be conducted from the funeral home on Wednesday, October 25th at 10:00 a.m. followed by a funeral mass in the Church of the Sacred Heart, 45 Brooks St., East Boston, at 11:00 a.m
The daughter of the late Massimiliano “Max” & Archetta “Annie” (Saccardo) Tassinari, she attended St. Mary-Star of the Sea Grammar School in Orient Heights, East Boston & graduated in 1957 with honors. High school continued at Fitton’s Girl High School (Fitton Catholic Central) in East Boston & she graduated from there in 1961. She is also a 1963 alumna of Windham Secretarial School of Boston. Maxine was an active member of the former Star of the Sea Young Adult Club of East Boston from about 1963-1977. She began a career with the Commonwealth of Mass. with the Dept. of Public Utilities, after raising her family in 1983 & worked co ntinuing to 2013, when she retired. At the time she was Executive Secretary within the complex Dept. of Public Utilities as their Executive Payroll Admr. All of the time spent at the DPU, undoubtedly, Maxine held positions at the Administrative Level. She was an active member of the Fitton Alumni, forever and maintained a close relationship with many former “college” friends & former co leagues at the DPU. Along with her work she became an activist for the fight against the Logan Airport Expansion, working with members of her Dad’s (Tassinari) family; the late Emilio J. “Legs” Vertuccio & Mary Ellen Welch.
She was the beloved wife of the late Roger F. Teixeira. Cherished mother to Brian J. Teixeira of E. Boston, Carole J. Rizzo & husband John F. of Swampscott, Maria J. Votava & husband Michael of Richmond Hill, GA & Michael J. Teixeira of Taunton. Dear sister of Thomas J. Tassinari & wife Deborah, Mark J. Tassinari & wife Therese, all of East Boston & Atty. Stephen J. Tassinari & wife Sandra of Peabody. Proud “Nonne” to Gabrielle, Samantha & Veronica Rizzo, all of Swampscott; James R. & John P. Votava, both of Richmond Hill, GA, & Lucy Rose & Mason R. Teixeira, both of Middleboro. Also lovingly survived by her faithful “In Laws”, Edmund J. Teixeira & wife Mary of Wakefield, Ellen T. Selnick & husband Mitchell of Foxboro & John P. Teixeira of E. Boston & her best friend Joyce Scialabba. She was also the devoted companion to the late William Meloni who passed in March of 2016 & the amazing aunt to many nieces & nephews, to whom she became a surrogate Mom. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.
I will never forget first meeting – and loving – Maxine.
Bob and I went to Boston in 1996 for my June birthday., staying with his brother (and our best man), Bill. Bill had yellow sticky things all over the house on Bayswater: “Pick up margarita mix for Max,” “Ask Max about veggies,” “Max: 6PM.”
Imagine our surprise when he arrived with this fiery, beautiful redhead in her purple sundress, setting the room alight with her warmth, humor and electric personality!
Imagine, too, how surprised she and I were when we bonded over so many shared passions. We wrote each other 12+ page letters every month – we shared our columns – we talked “The Brothers” into meetings everywhere from Salem and Gloucester to Rome and London. She encouraged me through two bouts of breast cancer; I hope I was equally there for her – and we helped each other through our losses of those Brothers.
Maxine, sister of my heart, you lit every life you touched. That heart now goes out to everyone else fortunate enough to know and love you.
((XX Tracey Meloni XX))
To Maxine’s beautiful family,
I am so very sorry – I wish I could do something to take away the pain of losing such an amazing person in your lives.
Growing up as neighbors, connected by school, church, scouts, friendships, parents, neighborhood issues, advocacy and always fighting for the rights of others. How we all learned from the eldest, the beacon of vision, hope and strength.
I send my thoughts, prayers, love and support to you all. It is so hard to make meaning out of things that don’t make sense.. rely on your memories of Maxine – her love will live in your hearts forever.
xo
Joanne
If ever there was someone who went ‘all in’ to life and to her love and support of her family and friends, it was Maxine. What a wonderful inspiration she has been.
To all of her family and loved ones, I wish you strength during this difficult time. Stay close as she would have wanted you to do and take care of one another.
With much love,
Margaret Meloni
Dear Maria, Carole, Brian, and Michael: Sending my sincere condolences on the loss of Maxine. East Boston and the world are darker places without her. Her personality, presence, and passion will always be remembered! Thinking of all of you and your families. With love, Norma
My sincerest condolences to the Tassinari and Texeira families in the loss of their wonderful mother, sister, aunt, in- law, and dearest friend.
Maxine leaves a wonderful legacy of community activism, personal integrity, and open-hearted kindness to all of us who knew her and had her touch our lives.
I am so shocked that she is gone! We graduated the Class of 1961 together, and my memories of Maxine are the heartwarming kind. She was a person who would find you in your time of need and befriend you any way she could. I wish I had known she was ill so that I could have at least sent her a card or called her to let her know I care. God has taken a beautiful person to Heaven. She will be missed by all.
Roberta Cave Marchi