Elizabeth “Betty” (Panzera) Panaggio of Newton, MA, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on February 13, 2025, at the age of 79. Betty was born on March 15, 1945, in Newton, the daughter of the late Raymond and Catherine (Spellman) Panzera.
Betty was raised on Jewett Street in Newton and attended Newton North High School. She worked as a bookkeeper at Automec for 25 years. Betty found her greatest joy in being surrounded by family and was known for her famous Wednesday night dinners, cherished holiday traditions, and delicious home cooking.
A lifelong resident of Newton, MA, Betty was deeply rooted in her large Irish-Italian family. She leaves behind many who will carry her in their hearts, including her beloved husband, Anthony J. Panaggio Jr.; her children, Anthony Panaggio III, Raymond Panaggio, and Beth Orifice and her husband, Eric; her cherished grandchildren, Alyssa and Eric Orifice, and Anthony and Alexandra Panaggio.
She is also survived by her dear brothers and sisters: Barbara Galvin, James Panzera and his wife Linda, Theresa Overton and her husband, Tom, Rose Panzera, and Nancy Palumbo and her husband, Joe. She was predeceased by her siblings Raymond Panzera, Angela Panzera, Dorothy Barisano, Catherine Clark, Maryanne Panzera, Walter Panzera, Jean Trigilio and Joan Lebrun.
Betty will also be dearly missed by her in-laws, including the late Virginia and Anthony Panaggio, Carol Blair and her husband, Lester, as well as surviving in-laws Judy Murphy and her husband, Ronald, Orazio Panaggio and his wife, Janet, Brenda Mazzola and her husband, Lawrence, Toni Campbell and her husband, Dave, Richard Campisi and his partner, Linda Caruso, and Linda Hassey and her late husband, Walter. Additionally, Betty is survived by many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and numerous friends.
Family and friends are welcome to gather to celebrate Betty’s life on Saturday, February 22, 2025, for a funeral Mass at Our Lady Help of Christians Church in Newton at 10:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Betty's honor to the American Kidney Fund at: https://www.kidneyfund.org.