Obituary: Iris Nigro, 79, Longtime Arlington Resident

The following is from DeVito Funeral Home.

Iris Nigro, a longtime Arlington resident, passed in peace at the age of 79 on Saturday, Oct. 4.

Preceded in death by her late husband, Ronald A Nigro. Loving mother of Rosemary (Nigro) Kielnecker and her husband Timo of Swampscott and Ronald A. Nigro Jr. and his wife Kirsten Greenidge of Waltham. Proud grandmother of Sophia Kielnecker and Katia and Hunter Nigro. She is survived by brothers Alton Zink of Wakefield and David Zink of Pepperell, along with many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband Ron, Iris was preceded in death by her parents Alton and Jean O’Shea Zink, brother Michael Campbell and sister Geraldine Ann Campbell Smith.

Iris was born Sept. 29, 1935, in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada, and came to the United States at 17. She began a career at Blue Cross Blue Shield and became the first woman president of the Cross and Shield club social group.

She went on to marry Ronald A. Nigro of Arlington and worked at the family business, Dudley Fuel, in Arlington for many years. After Ron’s passing, Iris worked at Arlington Town Hall in the Assessors’ Office until her retirement in 2012.

Iris was very active in town politics and was an avid volunteer for multiple community groups including the Stratton PTA, Zonta Club, the Board of Youth Services and Board Member for the Samuel J. Nigro Charitable Scholarship Trust. Iris provided countless hours of service to youth related programming and the Arlington community. She was most proud of her role as a wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother and friend.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, Oct. 7, from 3-7 p.m. at DeVito Funeral Home, 1145 Mass. Ave., Arlington. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Oct. 8, at 10 a.m. at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Arlington, followed by interment at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Arlington.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial gifts in Iris’ memory be sent to: The Arlington Youth Counseling Center (AYCC) – Gift Fund 670R Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA 02476. This fund enables children to receive services or programs that would otherwise be unaffordable. For online condolences and directions, please visit www.devitofuneralhomes.com.