Louise A. Re, formerly of Somerville, passed away June 14, 2024.  She was born 89 years ago in Boston, MA, to Attilio and Louisa (Paganussi) Re, and relocated to Hampton, VA, in 2018 to be with her brother and family.

Family life and growing up in the 1940's and '50's in Somerville with her younger brother Richard was simple and idyllic.  Louise's neighborhood was mostly first-generation Italian and Irish families--when Somerville's 3-story homes were brimming with children who walked to school and came home for lunch, played outdoors, and everyone knew their neighbors…before TV and air-conditioning were common.

Louise was fun-loving; and her life was always about Family. She was the oldest of eight Re Cousins (seven were girls)—all of whom grew up within a few doors of each other on Summer and Porter Streets. She graduated from Somerville High School in 1952, and made working for Smith-Corona her career, until her early retirement in 1992.  It was then Louise began full-time care-giving alongside her father, for her mother Louisa—who had Alzheimer's for 18 years, and lived to 91. When "Pa" passed away suddenly in 1995, Edward Solari, Louise's best friend for four decades, left his apartment in Somerville to help Louise continue care for her mother  another 7 years at home.  Their devotion and care was extraordinary—and always joyful.

Cousin Priscilla Re came faithfully many Sundays to offer Louise and Eddie time to enjoy lunch out—a much-appreciated respite. Louise enjoyed visits by her brother's young family--which included 3 children, and then their children, years later.

Early-on, she enjoyed Re Family get-togethers; summer vacation with Family at Swift's Beach, and later, West Dennis; shopping with her Mother-Louisa at Filene's Basement for her niece and nephews; planting colorful flower boxes on their porch and balcony; finding space in their small, corner yard for growing vegetables; and heading with her father and mother to pushcarts at Faneuil Hall in search of bargain-produce.  And, of course, she loved her Boston sports teams.

When her brother Richard left for Hampton, VA, in 1958 for NACA (later NASA) after his B.U. graduation, "Weezie" became a faithful letter-writer. Her light-hearted, written accounts of her Re Family life and Somerville events remain a treasure, decades later.

Louise is survived by her brother, Richard (Joanne), her niece and nephews--Anna, Joseph, and Michael, four great-nephews--Dylan, Jaired, Thomas and Daniel, her five Re cousins and four Paganussi cousins.

Louise will be inurned during a private graveside service at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church columbarium in Newport News in early July, with some of her Re Family in Colorado and Georgia coming to celebrate her life.

The Re Family wishes to thank Medi-Home Hospice for their comforting and compassionate care for Louise, and also the staff at Commonwealth Senior Living-Hampton (memory care).