Jeanette T. Alabiso

Jeanette T. Alabiso, 95, a loving matriarch who deeply understood the magic she could weave for her family at every holiday or special occasion, died Wednesday.

Her cooking skills, Italian and otherwise, were extraordinary and always evident to anyone who came into her Hingham home. One of her granddaughters remarked that “grandma was really one of a kind…how amazing her house always smelled. We sure were lucky grandchildren.”

There was never an occasion too insignificant not to have its own special dishes, traditions and even decorations.  Christmas Eve was the ultimate with her entire home festooned inside and out with colored lights, costumed dolls and a tree that rivaled Rockefeller Center. It enchanted  everyone at every age. A remarkable multi-course meal might include lobsters, roast beef and chicken, spaghetti (naturally) and too many desserts to list.

She was the wife of the late Angelo “Al” Alabiso, a concert violinist who brought music into their home through the Pilgrim String Quartet. Jennie, as she was known, reveled in the role of hostess at every weekly rehearsal.  Theirs was a fairytale relationship of enduring love for each other and their family.  Anyone who spent time around them knew they were witnessing something magical.

Jennie was adored by her children, Vincent Alabiso and wife Pam of Plymouth, Nancy McLean of Kingston, John Alabiso and wife Janice of Plymouth, and the late Robert Alabiso and his wife Wendy of Plymouth. She was Grandma to 10 grandchildren and Gigi to 19 great grandchildren, all of whom will deeply miss her warm smile and easy laugh.

Jennie was born and raised in East Boston by Sicilian immigrants, the late John and Grace Previte. She was the sister of the late John Previte, Matthew Previte, Katherine Puccarella, Grace Pucillo, Joseph Previte and Mary Lombardo and is survived by sisters-in-law Mildred Pecci and her husband Arthur Pecci of Waltham, Rose Hess of Nashua, NH and Jeanette Alabiso of Winthrop. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the visiting hours on Friday 4-8 PM in the McDonald Keohane Funeral Home SOUTH WEYMOUTH at 809 Main Street (Rte 18 opp. So. Shore Hospital). Relatives and friends will gather in the funeral home at 9 AM on Saturday prior to the Funeral Mass in St. Paul’s Church, Hingham at 10 AM. Burial in Hingham Centre Cemetery. Donations in memory of Jeanette may be made to Cranberry Hospice, 36 Cordage Park Circle, Plymouth, MA 02360.