Elizabeth Privitera

After giving us a lifetime of nurturing, sacrificing and unconditional love, our beautiful mother, Elizabeth Privitera, died peacefully at her home on September 5, 2019 at the age of 95.

Born on February 3, 1924, Elizabeth was born and raised in Lawrence, MA, by parents, Vito and Raffaela Foderaro. Betty, also known as “Alice” growing up, was the eldest of five siblings. She graduated from Holy Rosary Grammar School, and Lawrence High School at 16 before taking a temporary mill job to help her ailing father. Her youthful selflessness would continue into adulthood to become one of the many admirable credos by which she lived as a wife, mother, Christian, and friend.

A life changing situation occurred around mid-1945, when Betty reluctantly gave in to her best friend's pleas for them to meet and double-date with two soldiers who had just ended their tour with the Army/Air Force, and were back home permanently. Fast forward to July 20, 1946, the glorious day that Betty and her handsome “soldier boy,” Salvatore Privitera, enjoyed their beautiful wedding at Holy Rosary Church. Within the year Sully, a talented carpenter among other skills, had built his wife their permanent home in Methuen as his wedding gift, where they lived 69 years together before his death.

She retired from Lucent Technologies where she worked as a tester for over 26 years. Before her debilitating stroke 16 years ago, Betty attended St. Lucy Church weekly with Sal. She has also been a lifelong member of St. Rita's Sodality at Holy Rosary Church. Other organizations include the Sons of Italy Lodge 902, where she served as orator and top ticket seller for various charitable functions, the Italian Women’s Club, Italian Mother’s Club, Lucent Retirees Association, and enjoyed the distinction of being the first woman president of the Methuen Lions Club.

Betty had such a caring heart, witty sense of humor, was a tremendous cook and often not only cooked dinners for her children and their families, but delivered them to all three homes. She also made beautiful floral arrangements and so much more, enjoyed summers at their beach residence, and always extended her help to those in need. She was an exceptional mother who always put herself last, as her greatest gift was her family. She also had numerous faithful friends throughout her life she will be missed beyond words.

Elizabeth is survived by her children, Donna Privitera, Donald Privitera, Dennis Privitera and his wife, Bernice, all of Methuen; her cherished grandchildren, David Privitera of Newburyport, Steven, Domenic and John Privitera, all of Methuen; her dear sister, Katherine Jesser and her husband, Ronald; brother, Henry Foderaro and his wife, Ann; and brother, Tony Foderaro. She was predeceased by her husband, Sully; daughter-in-law, Lee Privitera, whom she loved like a daughter; and her brother ,Vincent Foderaro, with whom she was very close. She also leaves several nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours on Tuesday, September 10, 2019, from 4:00-7:00 PM at Cataudella Funeral Home, 126 Pleasant Valley Street in Methuen. Her funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, September 11, 2019, at St. Lucy Church, 254 Merrimack Street in Methuen. Burial will be at Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Lawrence.

For those who wish, Betty may be remembered through donations that will benefit a Methuen High School senior to the Lee Privitera Memorial Scholarship, c/o Jeanne D'Arc Credit Union, 380 Merrimack Street, Methuen, MA 01844.