Hedwiga “Hedy” (Smigielski) Fiumara, age 99, of Winchester, passed away on January 15, 2020. She was the beloved wife of the late Fortunato F. Fiumara, to whom she was married for 63 happy years until his death in 2001.
Born in Boston, Hedy was the daughter of the late Karol and Ann (Shumilla) Smigielski. She grew up on North Margin St. in Boston’s North End. Known for her love of shopping, Hedy enjoyed a lifelong love of shopping trips to Filene’s Basement in Downtown Crossing in Boston. Her family remembers her pride in her appearance, and how she was always dressed nicely, with makeup and jewelry, and had a hair appointment once a week, right up until last week!
In Winchester, Mrs. Fiumara was actively involved in the community and in her children’s lives. After raising their family in Winchester, at age 70 Mrs. Fiumara attended Middlesex Community College and earned her Associates Degree in Business, although her main priority was her family. At age 80, she was a hall monitor at Winchester High School, and loved being around the kids.
She enjoyed cooking Italian and Polish food, and loved eating lobster, especially on trips to Rockport. In her spare time, Hedy crocheted hats and afghans for her family and also found time to volunteer as a coordinator for the Minuteman Meals-On-Wheels program and at the Jenks Senior Center in Winchester. She will be remembered as a loving, caring and generous mother, grandmother, aunt and friend.
Mrs. Fiumara is lovingly survived by her children: Domenica “Dee” Pedulla and husband Frank of Winchester, Joanne Fisher of Wilmington, Joseph Fiumara and wife Sharon of North Billerica. She was predeceased by a son, Frederick Fiumara of Rockport. She was also the dear sister of the late Michael Shea, Joseph Skelsey and Gertrude Restighini, and is lovingly survived by 13 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to gather at Costello Funeral Home, 177 Washington St., Winchester, on Saturday, Jan. 18, at 10AM, followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Mary’s Church, 155 Washington St., Winchester, at 11AM. Burial will follow in Wildwood Cemetery, Winchester. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Winchester Hospital, 41 Highland Ave., Winchester, MA 01890.