Veronica DiFederico Harrington, 88, of Orchard Street, Lee, died Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017, at home surrounded by her devoted children. Born May 13, 1928 in Southbridge, Massachusetts, Veronica was the oldest daughter of the late Clara Vespucci DiFederico and John DiFederico. She graduated from Mary E. Wells High School in Southbridge in 1946, and Fitchburg State Teachers College as vice president of her class in 1950. She also attended Boston University as a graduate student while teaching elementary education in the Newton (Mass.) public school system. While in college she met her future husband Paul E. Harrington of Fitchburg, Mass.; they married on June 18th, 1951.
She later taught G.I.s reading, history, and English in the early 1950s in Gabligen, West Germany, while her husband Paul was stationed there during his service in the U.S. Army. She taught for 15 years in the Duxbury, Mass., Kinderhook, N.Y., and Wilbraham, Mass., school systems. She was an avid reader and enjoyed music, art, and antiques. She had an antique shop in Lenox during the 1980s, and also worked for Charles Flint Antiques in Lenox. She later worked in real estate for 12 years as a realtor for the former Reinholt Real Estate in Lenox.
She was predeceased by her husband, Paul, and she is survived by her four children: John T. Harrington and Brian F. Harrington of Lee; Timothy P. Harrington of Wilbraham and his wife Anne P. Rutherford; and Paula Harrington Clancy of Lawrenceville N.J., and her husband Sean Clancy. She is also survived by her sister, Shirley Vespucci Petitti and her husband Joseph of Concord, Mass., and her brother Dr. John DiFederico and his wife Pauline of Waterford, Conn.; and her six grandchildren, Nora, Meg, and Clara Harrington, as well as Patrick, Liam, and Michael Clancy.
A Liturgy of Christian Burial be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, February 3 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Stockbridge, Mass., with the Rev. Brian McGrath, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow at Fairmont Cemetery in Lee. A reception at the Greenock Country Club at 220 West Park St in Lee will follow. There are no visiting hours.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make a donation to HospiceCare of the Berkshires in care of Kelly Funeral Home, 3 Main St., Lee, MA 01238.
If you would like to leave a message of condolence or share pictures or stories please visit our website at www.kellyfuneralhome.net.
