Obituary of Janice E. (Mercurio) Gonnella

Janice E. (Mercurio) Gonnella, 85, of Peabody, died peacefully on Thursday, November 8, 2018 at the Atrium in Danvers with her family by her side. She was the devoted wife of George L. Gonnella Sr with whom she shared 64 cherished years together. She was born alongside her twin sister in Everett, MA on August 17, 1933, the daughter of the late Michael and Elizabeth (Salvanelli) Mercurio and was raised there graduating from Everett High School. She had resided in Peabody for the past 57 years where she made many lifelong friends, and was a devout member of St. Adelaide’s Church. Janice enjoyed socializing with her family and friends, and traveling with them around Europe and United States. She loved to cook and bake for the family gatherings, and especially to send her grandchildren their favorites. To her, family was everything, and she was never happier than when she was surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Her husband George was her soul mate and the love of her life. She is survived by her husband, George Sr., two daughters and sons-in-laws, Donna and David Knowles of Epping, NH and Karen and Thomas Stein of Tewksbury, MA, a son and daughter-in-law, George Jr. and Patricia Gonnella of Pepperell, MA, a brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Grace Mercurio of Falmouth, her twin sister and brother-in-law, Judith and Vincent Cammarata of Revere and her sister Aida Mageau of Dennis, Ma, her grandchildren, Emily and her husband Derek Spear, Sarah LaPointe, George L. Gonnella III, Stephanie Gonnella, Tyler and David Stein, a great grandson, Thatcher Spear and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by Michael LaPointe, her first grandchild. A visitation will be held on Sunday from 2:00 until 5:00 PM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home at the 82 Lynn St., Peabody facility. Her funeral will be held on Monday at 9:30 AM from the funeral home followed by a funeral Mass at St. Adelaide’s Church, Lowell St., West Peabody at 10:30 AM. Burial will be in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Janice to the Alzheimer’s Association, 309 Waverly Oaks Road, Waltham, MA 02452. For directions, additional information or to send the family a written expression of sympathy, please visit her online guest book at www.ccbfuneral.com