Anna (Paradiso) Williamson
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Anna's obituary
Anna M. (Paradiso) Williamson 9/3/1930 - 6/26/2016 (age: 85)
Revere, MA
(Formerly from The North End of Boston)
On June 26, 2016 Anna (Paradiso) Williamson passed away in her sleep from a heart attack after a short battle with Alzheimer's disease. Anna was the daughter of the late Michael Paradiso & the late Angelina (Notagiacomo) Paradiso of Bari, Italy.
The mother of Ann (Curry) Catalano of Rowley, the late John Williamson of Maine, Robert Williamson of Boxford, the late Shirley (Williamson) Goodman of Randolph, Richard Williamson of Winthrop and beloved son Roger Williamson of Revere. Anna was the sister of the late Frank Paradiso, the late Antonetta Parziale, the late Michael Paradiso, the late Leonard Paradiso and the late Marie Paradiso.
Anna was first married to John Curry for two years, with whom she had one daughter, her oldest, Ann (Curry) Catalano.
From 1952 -1958, Anna married a second time, to Robert Williamson Sr. with whom she had four children, John Williamson, Robert Williamson, Shirley (Williamson) Goodman and Richard Williamson.
Anna shared her youngest child/son, Roger Williamson with his father, the late Sheldon Adelson of Dorchester, MA & Las Vegas, NV, whom she met in 1959. Anna and Sheldon shared a four year relationship, upon the birth of Roger, Sheldon’s only biological child, they decided it best to remain life-long friends with Sheldon promising to always be there when needed.
Anna also leaves behind ten grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Anna's first job was at eight years old, at her father's candy store in Boston's North End. At 12 years old, Anna began working for the "NECCO Candy Factory". Once Anna became a mother, she went to work for a "young" Sumner Redstone, who owned the Revere Drive-In and Suffolk Downs Drive-In. Mr. Redstone identified Anna's skill with numbers and she soon became his bookkeeper at the age of 18. During Anna's second marriage, survival was important with having a husband as a seaman, and she knew that she must be the provider.
Anna was a self-taught receptionist, bookkeeper, and dental assistant. In fact, Anna would do whatever she needed to do to keep a roof over the heads of her children, clean clothes on their backs and warm homemade meals on the family table. Because of this, Anna worked scrubbing floors and the overnight shift at Dunkin Donuts. Anna then became the full-time bookkeeper for Sumner Redstone at his "National Amusement Company" in Randolph, MA. Incidentally, this was a significant moment in Anna's life, it was when she met the love of her life, Sheldon Gary Adelson.
From there, Anna went to work for the accounting firm, "Ken's of Copley". Then took a job with "Combined Insurance" in Brookline, MA. Then later, Anna went to work for "Trendlines" in Revere, MA, which were the owner's of "Golf Day & Woodworker's Warehouse".
After the closing of "Trendlines", and with the help of Sheldon Adelson, Anna embarked on her last employment at the "Federal Reserve Bank" in Boston, MA., which she worked until her retirement. Anna's Federal Reserve Coworkers loved her so much, that even after retirement, they would send a car round trip, to pick her up at her home so she could continue to work for them part-time and she willingly obliged because she too loved working at the Federal Reserve Bank.
Anna M. (Paradiso) Williamson had a rich and full life, marked by her love for family, hard work, and resilience. Her journey from growing up in the North End of Boston to becoming a devoted mother and grandmother is a testament to her strength and determination. She also had a career that spanned many different roles, showcasing her adaptability and commitment to her family’s well-being. Anna was fluent in three languages and was a fabulous Italian cook. She loved activities such as; riding bikes with Leonard Nimoy (Mr. Spark) as a kid in the North End & stopping in at "Pizzeria Regina". Anna would so enjoy ordering her own whole pizza for a quarter and she loved it!
As an adult, she also loved bowling, dancing, going to the beach, cooking and both making and eating pizza. Anna believed that all you need to sustain life, is pizza!
Anna touched many lives, and her legacy is one of love, sacrifice, perseverance and FAITH.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Anna's name to the Alzheimer's Association.
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