Anne T. McAvenia

Anne T. McAvenia, age 88, of Wakefield passed away on Thursday, February 13 at the Brightview Senior Living in Billerica. 

She was born in Woburn on August 16, 1936 and was the daughter of the late Rene and Emma (Pothier) Surette.

Anne was born and raised in Reading. She met her husband on a blind date and after the two married they moved to Wakefield and started their family. Anne was involved in the Wakefield Girl Scouts for many years and was also a well-known Avon Lady for over 30 years. She was passionate about crafting; from knitting to scrapbooking and quilting, even making her grandchildren’s Halloween costumes. She was also an avid bowler and was a member of the Tuesday morning and Thursday night leagues at the Wakefield Bowladrome. She was also the family historian and was often found behind the lens of the camera capturing family moments. 

Anne was the beloved wife of the late William F. McAvenia. She was the loving mother of Stephen McAvenia of Medford, Jeanne Boudreau and her husband Mark of Billerica, Theresa Penza and her late husband Joseph of Tewksbury, Catherine DuPont of Wakefield, and Joanne DuPuis and her husband David of North Andover. She was the adoring grandmother of Dan, Mathew, Ryan, Renee, Christopher, Samantha, Rebecca, Alexander, and Jessica; and the great grandmother of Walker. She was the sister of the late E. Lorraine Vatcher and her late husband James. She is also survived by her longtime companion, Richard Freeman of Reading. 

Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Joseph Church, 173 Albion St., Wakefield on Wednesday, February 19 at 10am. Visitation will be held at the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield on Tuesday, February 18 from 4-7pm. Interment, Forest Glade Cemetery, Wakefield. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to The 100 Club of Massachusetts, 25 Braintree Hill Office Park, Suite 200, Braintree, MA 02184. An organization caring for families of fallen firefighters and police officers.