Obituary: Jeannie (Palage) Elia, Voted in as the First Female Honorary Member of the Woburn Host Lions Club

Obituary from Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home.

Jeannie (Palage) Elia, of Woburn and Gloucester, passed away at Winchester Hospital, Monday evening, December 1st amongst her beloved family and dear friends. The cherished wife of Joseph V. “Joe” Elia, was sixty five years of age.

Beloved wife of Joseph V. Elia. Devoted mother of Jessica M. McCaffrey and her husband Nicholas of Woburn. Cherished “Ammy” of Gabriella. Dear sister of Patricia M. “Patsy” Holland and her husband Richard “Dutch” and the late Michael Palage. Loving “Auntie Teenie” of Michael Holland and his wife Wendy of WA, Meghan Deman of RI, Matthew Holland and his wife Amy of Billerica, Mary O’Brien of WA, Meridith Holland of Woburn, Peter Malamas and his wife Jen of NY, and Nicholas and James Elia, both of IN. Dear friend of Diane Carbone of Woburn.

Born in Boston, Jeannie was the youngest of three children born to Guy and Marie (McNeill) Palage. Raised in the Horn Pond section of the city, Jeannie was educated at both St. Charles Elementary and High School, graduating with the Class of 1967. Following high school Jeannie continued her education at Northeastern University where she received her certification in Radiological Technology. Jeannie had worked as a Candy Striper at the Choate Hospital through high school and returned after graduating from Northeastern, in the X-Ray Department. This was the beginning of a long and dedicated profession which spanned over forty years. Jeannie spent years there at the Choate, then to the Symmes Hospital and for well over the last decade she has been working at the Winchester Hospital.

Throughout high school Jeannie had a host of friends from both St. Charles, Woburn High and Gloucester. It was Howard Johnsons on Friday or Saturday evenings led to a date with Joe Elia following high school. In 1973, they married and have been devoted to each other for over the last forty one years. They were blessed with their daughter, Jessica, who has been their pride and joy. Her individual accomplishments and participation in all sorts of activities were strongly supported. Family trips were essential in the Elia homestead, whether by plane, train, automobile or boat, from the mountains, cities, islands and country sides, they visited it all. There is one place in this world though that Jeannie always held closest to heart, Wingaersheek Beach in Gloucester. Since the early fifties when her parents built a home there, it was the destination from April through October, weekends and all summer long. All those wonderful summers since she was very young, were spent with both Woburn and Gloucester family and friends.. Jeannie was always the hostess with the absolute most! She shared her home in Wingaersheek which was truly the “hub” for family and friend gatherings. Lobster bakes, cookouts, and always a big pot of spaghetti ready to go, complete with homemade sauce!

Entertainment, fun and great conversation was always synonymous with Jeannie. Her activity level was high and she would never miss an opportunity to help, relatives, friends or people she didn’t even know, if she could do something, consider it done. Friends of Woburn Hospice was an organization Jeannie served on the board for close to twenty five years and had remained active throughout her own illness. Selling tickets, getting donors, sponsors or organizing a road race Jeannie was there with sleeves rolled up and ready for whatever came her way. Her allegiance to St. Charles School never waivered. She and her sister Patsy began running the golf tournaments for the church fundraiser many years ago and later they had taken over the realm of the “Alumni Banquet” which is held every spring. Again, organizing, publicizing, choosing the venue, the meal and being the official “greeters” always done with the vim, vigor and charm, which was Jeannie. Party planner, event planner, travel planner, you name it, Jeannie orchestrated it all!

Just this year Jeannie was voted in as the first female “honorary member” of the Woburn Host Lions Club. She was also the proud recipient of the Melvin Jones Award. This award was presented to Jeannie as she is a person of strong character, outstanding individuality, and she absolutely embellished the true meaning of Lionism.

Holidays were always very special in the Elia household. Jeannie as a child along with her family always celebrated Christmas Eve. This tradition has continued each and every Christmas Eve for her entire life, with all of her family and friends, complete with a visit from Santa in her home.

Jeannie was the “go to” person. Before google came around, Jeannie knew more things about all things. To anyone with a question, of how to, where is, what if, can I or why, she would impart her knowledge and be right! A very bright, articulate woman, Jeannie lived every day to the fullest. Over the last several years she had some very serious challenging times. Nothing stood in her way of achieving a life of living and loving every day. Being “Ammy” to Gabriella was complete and utter joy. Their time together was always special and Jeannie made sure of that.

Jeannie was the consummate wife, mother, sister, “Ammy,” Auntie Tinie and friend. Jeannie’s passion and love for her family, friends and life was phenomonal. Jeannie gave her all each day, having been a good person to so many people . A lasting and loving legacy, has been tucked away inside the hearts of many, forever.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend a Funeral Mass in St. Charles Church, 280 Main Street, Woburn on Saturday, December 6th at 10 a.m. Interment in Calvary Cemetery, Woburn. Calling hours will be held on Friday from 2 to 7 p.m. in St. Charles Church. At the family’s request, in lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in Jeanne’s memory to the Friends of Woburn Hospice, c/o VNA Hospice, 100 TradeCenter, G-500, Woburn, MA 01801 or to Mass. Lions Eye Research, PO Box 6050, New Bedford, MA 02742. Professional services are under the direction of the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home.