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Bernadette S. (Santamaria) Speranza, 89, of Medway, died peacefully on Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester. She leaves behind her beloved husband, Leo S. Speranza, with whom she shared 68 years of marriage.
Born in Watertown on September 23, 1936, Bernadette (Bernie, or Birdie to her Leo) was the daughter of the late Ferdinand and Christina (Della Posta) Santamaria.
Bernadette was a resident of Medway for the past 2 years and formerly resided on Cape Cod, most recently in Centerville. She grew up in Watertown and graduated from Watertown High School.
Bernadette worked as an administrative assistant in higher education at Brandeis University for several years.
She enjoyed doing all kinds of arts and crafts. She was a talented painter and jewelry maker (a talent passed to her granddaughter Christina). She was known for her quick wit and sense of humor, and she kept everyone in stiches with her comebacks. She wore her heart on her sleeve, and you knew how she was feeling with a single glance or arched eyebrow. She loved her family fiercely and valued every moment spent with them, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by her son Steven Speranza and his wife Lisa of Swampscott, and her daughter Linda O’Brien and her husband William of Medway.
She is also survived by five grandchildren, Christina Carlisle and her husband Eamonn, Michael O’Brien, Zachary O’Brien, Marissa Speranza, and Anthony Speranza and his wife Monica, her four great-grandchildren Adrian, Kennedy, Rory and Monroe as well as many nieces and nephews.
She was the sister of the late Mary Vacca, Peter Santamaria, and Elaine Covino.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Wednesday December 17 from 9 – 10:30 a.m. in the Ginley Crowley Funeral Home, 3 Barber St. in Medway ginleyfuneralhomes.com followed by a funeral Mass at St. Joseph Church, 151 Village St. in Medway at 11 a.m.
Burial will follow in Newton Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692 https://www.heart.org/
