Swampscott — Rachel E. (Spada) Gambale, age 90 years, of Swampscott, died Monday, Aug. 29, 2016, surrounded by her family, after a brief illness. She was the wife of the late John Gambale, and the daughter of the late Joseph and Elizabeth (Petruzzi) Spada. Born and raised in Everett, she was a graduate of Everett High School, Class of 1944. She moved to Swampscott in 1953, when she married her husband, John. She lived the rest of her life there with her family.
Rachel was a longtime, faithful communicant of Holy Family Church. She enjoyed cake decorating, sewing, knitting and dancing. She loved music, especially enjoying the music of Frank Sinatra. Some of her fondest memories included summers in York Beach, Maine, with her family. Rachel loved laughing, spending time with her family and her church.
She is survived by three sons, Michael Gambale and Donna Lord of Swampscott, John Gambale and his wife, Clare, of Swampscott, and Joseph Gambale and his wife, Kathy, of Rowley, her three granddaughters, Melanie Chandler and her husband, Michael, of Salem, Micaela Gambale and Amanda Gambale, both of Swampscott. She also leaves her great-grandson, Mason Chandler, three nephews, John Romboli and Ed Romboli, and Tom Burke, a niece, Kathy Danahy, and her sister-in-law, Jennie Burke. She was the sister of the late Dolores “Pudgie” Romboli and the aunt of the late Marguerite “Peg” Danahy. To family and friends, and all who knew her, Rachel was affectionately known as “Nana.”
Service information: Her funeral will be held from the SOLIMINE FUNERAL HOME, 67 Ocean St., (Route 1A), Lynn, on Saturday at 9 a.m., followed by a funeral Mass in Holy Family Church in Lynn at 10 a.m. Interment will be in Swampscott Cemetery. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visiting hours will be on Friday from 3-8 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to Holy Family Church, 26 Bessom St., Lynn, MA 01902. Directions and guest book at Solimine.com.