Elizabeth Anne (Sullivan) McBride
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Elizabeth "Liz" Anne McBride, 100, beloved longtime Chelsea resident, recently of Revere, MA, passed away peacefully on March 1, 2021 at the Lighthouse Nursing Center in Revere. Born to the late John and Ellen Sullivan on February 6, 1921 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the family soon moved to Revere then Chelsea. Liz was a cheerleader and track star at Chelsea High, graduating in 1939. Four years later, she married her high-school sweetheart, the late John Edward McBride. They celebrated 68 years of marriage until he passed in 2011. She was predeceased by five older siblings Ellen, John, Ruth (Cross), James, and Margaret (Cassier) and her grandson, Jeremiah Backstrom, and is survived by eight children, Ellen McBride of Chelsea, Elizabeth Backstrom of Somerville, John J. McBride of Chelsea, Kevin M. McBride and his wife Susan of Saugus, Alice Leeming and her husband Simon of Canterbury, NH, Timothy McBride of Chelsea, Kathleen McBride and her partner David Herlihy of Boston, and Anne Tolley and her husband Joseph of Hardwick. Also survived by 15 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and their extended families.
Liz was a devoted and loving daughter, wife, mother and public servant. She worked tirelessly and joyfully to make the world better for her children and all children. While she and John raised their family, Liz led Scout Troops, Blue Birds, the PTA, and was repeatedly elected to Chelsea's School Committee, serving for decades as a member or Chairperson. Her only flight was to Washington, D.C. where the National Teachers Association presented her with a lifetime service award. As Chairperson of the Chelsea School Committee in 1988, Liz partnered with John Silber and Doug Sears of Boston University to revamp Chelsea's ailing school system. Their efforts led to a new educational culture as well as a new Chelsea High and grade school buildings. She was the first woman inducted into the Chelsea Kiwanis Club and served for 25 years championing the distribution of helmets to young cyclists. Liz won numerous awards and citations for her extensive volunteer work with Special Olympics, the Chelsea-Revere-Winthrop Mental Health Collaborative, Chelsea's elderly center and others. In 2004, Liz received Chelsea's Life Time Achievement Award, and in 2007, the Massachusetts Association of School Committees presented her with a Lifetime Achievement Award for her outstanding public service. She has received numerous other awards and citations from Chelsea, Revere and the Massachusetts Statehouse.
For decades during her retirement, Liz would once-a-week visit the 2nd grade classroom of Janice Avery at the Burke Elementary School, and read a book to the children who affectionately called Liz their 'Grandma'. She would often sit privately with the children to hear their stories and help them on their way. Many of these children would later eagerly introduce their own children to their "great grandmother." Liz was known to give out $2 bills to deserving children. As adults, they would often tell her that they still had their bill, or had passed it on to their own children. At home, she frequently entertained family and guests with her musical talent, playing the piano and singing old songs. She always flashed a beautiful contagious smile, had a song in her heart, and a ready word of encouragement.
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend visiting hours at the Carafa Family Funeral Home, 389 Washington Ave., CHELSEA on Thursday, February 4, 2021 from 4-8 P.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, March 5 at Our Lady of Grace Church, 59 Nichols St., Chelsea at 12:00 Noon. Services will conclude with interment at Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in memory of Elizabeth McBride to Kiwanis Children's Fund, P.O. Box 6457 - Dept #286, Indianapolis, IN 46206. Donations may be made out to "Kiwanis Children's Fund." Please indicate the name of the honoree in the memo line of the check. Gifts may also be made online at www.kiwanis.org/give.
Per COVID-19 State Regulations, the Funeral Home is allowed a 50 person capacity limit. All attendees are required to wear face coverings, practice social distancing when greeting the family, pay their respects and exit the funeral home to allow other guests to enter. We encourage family and friends to visit www.carafafuneralhome.com to offer condolences at this time by means of the online guest book or to send a personalized sympathy card.