March 10, 1933 – October 21, 2021
Barbara Ann Bertone, wife of the late Antonio “Papa Tony” Bertone, passed away in comfort on October 21, 2021, at the age of 88. Born March 1933 in Medford MA to Frances B. Lantagne (Jones) and Alexander G. Lantagne, Barbara lived her life in Medford, Melrose, and neighboring towns, raising seven children with her first husband and finding great joy and satisfaction working as a senior nurse’s aide for more than 25 years at Melrose-Wakefield and New England Memorial Hospitals. She retired in 1995 but continued caring for others as a home health aide while making time for travel adventures with Tony around the U.S., Canada, and the Bahamas.
A resident of Reading since 1999, Barbara also greatly enjoyed time with friends and neighbors—she is perhaps best known for calling BINGO at weekly game nights and gifting homemade chocolates of every imaginable shape to fit every possible occasion. Barbara’s family is forever grateful for the friends and caregivers who gave so much of themselves to show her love and help her, along with her faithful cat, Buddy, to live as independently as possible in her community. To Lucy, Kathy, Lisa, the entire Cox family, and so many others—Thank you.
Barbara is predeceased by brothers Alexander and Frank, by sisters Phyllis and Florence, by children Steve R. Spongberg, Valerie J. Spongberg, and Donald W. Spongberg (Marilyn), and by granddaughter Tiffany Joy Person (Smith). She is survived by her dearly-loved sister Audrey Cox (of Reading), sister-in-law Barbara Lantagne (currently of NH), children Shirley A. Lamarre, Nancy M. Smith, Donna S. Cantillo, and Robert A. Spongberg (Kim Zanco) all currently of NH, by grandchildren Kerry, Jason, Paige, Jonathan, Stephanie, Sonya, Danielle, Deanna, Donald, and Dylan, and by greatgrandchildren Alexander, Travis, Eli, Sebastian, Rio, and Amelie.
Friends and family are welcome to a service and light refreshments at First Baptist Church of Reading, 45 Woburn St, on Friday, November 5th at 11:00 am (masks required). Barbara will be laid to rest at Puritan Lawn Memorial Park in Peabody. There are no visiting hours. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Mystic Valley Elder Services www.mves.org/donate-now/
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