Birute Caruso (1936-2025)
Birute Caruso (née Banaitis), 89, passed away peacefully on September 4, 2025. She was born in Lithuania to Joseph and Elzbieta Banaitis. During WW2, at the age of eight, she escaped Lithuania during the Russian invasion and lived with her family in a refugee camp in Hanau, Germany. In 1949, the family was sponsored by relatives to immigrate to the United States. She made Boston her home and attended Northeastern University, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English literature and a minor in Shakespeare studies. Post-graduate employment included jobs in both advertising and sales. While living in Boston, she met and married her beloved husband of nearly 55 years, Mario. In 1972, they moved to Weston, Massachusetts to raise their family.
Birute was the devoted mother of two sons, Thomas and Paul. An independent thinker with a fierce intellect and sharp wit, she adored books, reading at least one a week. But her lifelong devotion was to her family, whom she showered with love and unending support every day of her life. She is survived by her brother, Bronius Banaitis and his wife, Birute; two sons and their spouses, Thomas (John Searles), and Paul (Elizabeth); two beautiful grandchildren, Christian and Lydia; nephews, Jason Mankiewicz, Romas Banaitis, Dainius Banaitis and Aidas Banaitis; and other cherished family members. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband Mario, brother Gintautas Banaitis, and nephew Kestutis Banaitis.
Family and friends are invited to St. Zepherin’s Catholic Church (Good Shepherd Parish), 99 Main Street, Wayland, Massachusetts for the funeral at 10am on Friday, September 19th to reminisce and honor the life of our beloved, Birute.
In lieu of flowers, we kindly ask that you consider donating to the United States Volt Hockey Association. The USVHA is the national non-profit working to expand access to volt hockey – an adaptive team sport designed for individuals with significant physical disabilities and makes it possible for Birute’s beloved grandson to be involved in a team sport. To donate, please visit http://volthockeyusa.org/donate or send a check to: United States Volt Hockey Association, 6 Mackintosh St, Franklin, MA 02038.