How long have you been at MBD? Since the merger with RMMF in October of 2018. I’ve worked as a paralegal for 45 years! Yikes! I’ve been so lucky in my career, and have only worked in three law offices. Each one I loved more than the last. The only reason I left the Somerville law firm after 12 years was that I moved to Norwood, got married, and had three children. My neighbor in Norwood happened to be an attorney and offered me a job in his law firm, Russell, McTernan, McTernan & Fruci. I worked there for almost 29 years until their merger with MBD.
Who was the most influential person in your life? This is a tough question. This question made me think of several individuals who have shaped my life in one way or another. But, the MOST influential person is my mother. My mother came from the North End. Her family had a fruit and vegetable business “LoPilato Brothers” in the North End. She was a very simple, kind and family oriented person. Dinner on the table every night at 5:00 p.m. and you would never even think of missing Sunday dinner at 1:00 p.m. (right in the middle of the day). She would always say, “Family is the most important thing.” I always knew that no matter how bad my day was going, when I got home, she would be there cooking some awesome dinner and would have a way of getting me to tell her what was wrong. She gave me so many values that I live with every day. She’s been gone for 33 years, but continues to guide me on a daily basis.
On any given Saturday, where can we find you and what would you be doing? It depends on the season for the most part. In the summer, most weekends will be at our house by the pool with some family and my grandchildren. We will sit around the pool, swim and cook out! I just love to entertain. Other than that, on Saturdays, my husband and I could be anywhere from a lacrosse game, flag football, at the hockey rink, gymnastics, to dancing recitals — watching our five grandchildren– a dream come true. If we miss a game for one of them, we will hear about it (lol). At night we enjoy going out to dinner with our friends.
Favorite food to eat or make or both? I love to cook. It seems I gravitate to my mother’s traditions. Gravy (sauce and meatballs), homemade chicken soup, chicken cacciatore, chicken parmesan are most popular, especially in the winter. I always have meatballs and sauce in the freezer since a couple of my grandchildren always ask for them.
Best place you have traveled, and/or dream destination? My husband and I travel, but not that much. My favorite trip was a couple of years ago we went to Florida. We went to Key Largo, Marco Island and Orlando. The whole trip was fun, but Marco Island is definitely my favorite place! My dream destination is Sicily! We’re in the process of planning for that in the next year.
