Obituary: Gertrude A. “Trudy” (Maltese) Pinelli, 82

Gertrude  A. “Trudy” (Maltese)  Pinelli, 82, of North Reading and formerly of Stoneham, died Tuesday, April 15, 2014, at the Hunt Nursing and Rehabilitation in Danvers.

Born in Boston, MA on May 12, 1931, she was the daughter of the late John and  Marieanna (Cina) Maltese. Trudy was a graduate of Roxbury Memorial High School, Class of 1948.

Trudy has been a resident of North Reading for five years and worked at Kid to Kid Children’s Shop. She was known for her big heart, being selfless, her generosity, a great listener, to be trusting, her love for her family and her compassion and smile.

She enjoyed bowling and she ran a neighborhood children’s summer bowling league. She loved to read the paper and play scrabble. She enjoyed photo albums and cooking, she was the “Eggplant Parmesan Queen.”

Family members include her loving son, Michael Pinelli  of St. Augustine, FL; her daughters, Karen Chipman of North Reading, Janice Jones of Massachusetts and the late Elaine Tofuri; her brother John Maltese of Braintree and her sister, Mary Kelley of Medford;  she was the sister of the late Matthew, Frank and Joseph Maltese and Vincy Salvaggio. Also survived by nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Her funeral service will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Saturday, April 19 at 10:30 a.m. Calling hours will on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Woburn. 

Memorial donations may be made in her memory to: Alzheimer’s Association, MA/ NH Chapter, 480 Pleasant Street, Watertown, MA 02472.