Madilyn A. Coluntino, age 79, passed away peacefully at the Kaplan House with her son Conti by her side on April 23, 2020. Madilyn was the daughter of the late Victor and Madeline Moroni of Beverly and Winthrop. She was predeceased by her husband of 45 years, Ralph P. Coluntino Jr., son Anthony Coluntino and sister Joanne Moroni. She leaves her son Conti Coluntino, his sons Ralph and Peter Coluntino and their mother, Deirdre Coluntino. She leaves her daughter April Pollock, husband Todd Pollock and grandchildren, William and Mark Pollock. Madilyn also leaves her beloved twin sister, Marilyn Whitney.
Madilyn was born in Beverly and graduated from Essex Agricultural Hairdressing School. She attended Academy Modern Modeling School, took ballet lessons at the Boston Ballet Center and, at 8 years old, she and her sister, Marilyn, portrayed twin dolls in the Boston Ballet’s Nutcracker.
She was recognized as a top stylist for the Elizabeth Arden Salon on Newbury Street in Boston across the street from her husband, a hairdresser at the Ritz Carlton.
She was very artistic and exposed her children to the arts in many ways including visiting the MFA regularly. She also loved participating in the MFA Art in Bloom, making beautiful floral arrangements. She loved decorating, fashion, dancing, cooking and was an avid lifelong collector of many things. It has been lovingly said, our elegant mother taught us which fork to use at the Ritz, and our father taught us how to get out the back door for free. They were quite a unique combination.
She was very involved in politics, was a staunch Democrat and supported many national and local politicians. She was a Board Member of the Robert F. Kennedy Foundation, and threw many lavish political fundraisers at her home in Beverly Farms. She also took great pride that she marched on Washington to protest the Vietnam War.
For decades, she was a Board Member of the Beverly Historical Society and the Beverly Farms Improvement Society, with her dear friend Nancy Benevento. She was a member of the West Beach Corporation, the Hastings House and the Farms Prides Fourth of July Committee. She loved raising money for local Beverly Farms events, with her friends Judy Cross and Bebe Dominic.
She was also a legendary cook, hostess and did it all with ease. She delivered her famous butter cookies in antique tins to many and to Beverly Farms celebrations. If you ate at her dining room table, with our father holding court, chances are you will have never forgotten it and may have quite a story to tell. She also put on epic holiday meals for the Coluntino family. She would cook for weeks making all of her best Italian specialties. We ate two meals at every holiday. Italian for lunch, then a traditional meal for dinner. She entertained effortlessly, with a glass of red wine and a cigarette in her mouth. And, all the while she was calling it “sauce”, my father’s family was calling it “gravy.” She loved Uncle Sonny, Aunt Maryanne, cousins Dena, Nancy, awesome Aunt Barbara, Uncle Jimmy, cousins Lisa and Ralphie. And of course, she adored Uncle Joe, his beautiful wife Terry and cousins Nicole, JoJo and Jimmy.
She loved her twin sister Marilyn dearly. She loved her nephews Bobby, Jimmy and wife Jen Whitney. We do not know what we would have done without Auntie Mo. She was my mother’s best friend, even when they were driving each other crazy. They went everywhere and did everything together. They loved finding a treasure at a yard sale and going to the Voc for lunch. They loved fried clams and, supposedly, only two glasses of wine. In later years, Auntie Mo took very good care of my mother. We will never forget her unwavering devotion to her and our family. We will always take care of our Auntie Mo and appreciate all she has done. We are also very grateful to our good cousin JoJo for all of his time and care for our mother.
When our brother Anthony was 11, he fell and had a terrible accident. My mother slept on the floor next to his bed at Boston Children’s Hospital for 3 months until he came home. The love of a mother is so powerful. Sadly, 17 years ago, we lost Anthony and 18 months later, our father passed. It’s a wonder how she lived through it all. Tough lady.
Thankfully, her grandchildren brought her great joy. She loved and was so proud of all of them. When Ralph was born 24 years ago, she thought he walked on water. When Pete came along, she loved squeezing his cheeks and thought he was beautiful. She loved talking with them about school, ski racing and never missed one of their Memorial Day speeches. When April’s boys, William and Mark were born, we never saw her happier. She would often boast what amazing hockey players they were. She was so proud, from a very young age, they were so polite and well-mannered. She was also an avid Red Sox, Celtics and Patriots fan. She knew all of the players, their stats, and had great conversations with her grandchildren about the legendary Boston teams.
She loved West Beach. We grew up there. It was a beautiful time for all of us in the Farms and every family had their own “spot” on the beach. Her “spot” was on the right side of the pier, first pole. When the pier sadly washed away in the Blizzard of 78’, her new “spot” became the corner of the wall where she loved to feed many. Lasagna, all that went with it, and her chocolate cake, were often on the menu. She loved the 4th of July. Everything about it. Our father in his truck with Donny MacQuarrie all night, the parade, the races on the beach and of course, the fireworks. She was so proud of raising money for the fireworks (and she always thought she sold the most wrist bands)!
She loved her family and many dear friends, Eddy, Gale and Gianna Polcari, Jim, Kay and Simpson family, Dottie, Warren and Townsend family, Charlie, Minina and Benevento family, The Nahatis family, Mr. and Mrs. Wilkinson, Biz, Dawn and Patrick Morris, Stevie O’Brien and his family, among many, many others. We are also very grateful to the amazing angels on earth who cared for our mother at Beverly Hospital, Ledgewood and Hospice.
We look forward to celebrating our mother’s life on West Beach sometime in the future. Arrangements by the Campbell Funeral Home 525 Cabot St., Beverly. In lieu of flowers, she would have liked donations to be made to the Farms - Prides Fourth of July Committee, P.O. Box 5259, Beverly Farms, MA 01915
