Contributions to the tribute of Eileen D. Locke

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Tuesday

April

Visitation

9:00 am - 9:50 am

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

Burns Funeral Home

354 Boston Rd.

Billerica, Massachusetts, United States

978-663-3968

Tuesday

April

Funeral Mass

10:00 am - 11:00 am

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

St. Theresa's Catholic Church

466 Boston Rd.

Billerica, Massachusetts, United States

978-663-8816

Tuesday

April

Burial

11:30 am - 11:45 am

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

St. Bernard's Catholic Cemetery

47B Bedford Street

Concord, Massachusetts, United States

978 369-7442

andrew r. puglia posted a condolence

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Miss Dewire - as I knew her - was my third-grade teacher at the Conwell Elementary School in West Somerville in 1956-1957, which was the year the new, single-story school opened. She was a wonderful teacher. She demanded the best from her students, and she gave the best in return. She was adored by my late mother, Rose, because my mother knew Miss Dewire was precisely the kind of teacher she wanted me to be exposed to in elementary school. There is little doubt in my mind that her impact upon me helped me to excel later on in my educational pursuits. without her, I don't think I would have been able to gain admission to Tufts University and obtain both my BA and MA degrees or to thereafter become a trial attorney. Some years after I became an attorney, I was elected to represent West Somerville, specifically Ward Seven, on the Board of Aldermen (now the city council.) In 1976, I was the president of the BOA and, as result, I sat ex officio on the school committee. One afternoon I was having lunch with a few friends at the Mount Vernon restaurant on lower Broadway. As i sat down, I noticed a table with six women having cocktails prior to their lunch. I immediately recognized one of these women: it was Miss Dewire. shortly after I sat down, I heard a voice beckon me from that table. It was Miss Dewire calling me, as she had done so many times in her classroom. "Andrew, may I have a moment?" "Certainly, Miss Dewire, I responded." I proceeded to her table. "Andrew," she said, "you are aware that the teachers' association is engaged in difficult negotiations with the school committee for a new contract." "I am, indeed, aware, Miss Dewire," said I. "And you are also aware of the valuable service we provide to the children of Somerville," she continued. "I am all too well aware of this," Miss Dewire. "I do hope you can use your good offices to being this matter to a just a fair resolution," she said. To which I then said, "You may assured I will do my very best, Miss Dewire. I then returned to my table...chastened by my third-grade teacher's implied admonition. At the next meeting of the school committee, I described my meeting with Miss Dewire to my colleagues. I made it abundantly clear there was no way I was going to disappoint Miss Dewire. I wanted the teacher's contract settle - and settled without further delay. A week and one-half later, the contract was agreed to by both sides. That was the last time I saw or spoke to Miss Dewire. But I will never forget her. Andrew R. Puglia

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Burns Funeral Home
354 Boston Road
Billerica, MA 01821
(978) 663-3968

John C. Burns & Sons Funeral Home
305 Broadway
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 876-8336

Eileen D. Locke

1927 - 2025

Visitation

Funeral Mass

Burial

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