Annette Marie Dantuono

Annette Marie (McEleney) Dantuono, age 93, passed away, peacefully surrounded by her family, on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at the Briarwood Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Needham, Massachusetts. Born in Boston, Massachusetts on March 30, 1932, she was the daughter of John Patrick and Anna (Maloney) McEleney. Annette was raised in the Roslindale neighborhood of Boston and attended the local public schools. Every summer as soon as classes let out, her family would pack up the house and head to a small cottage in the Houghs Neck neighborhood of Quincy, Massachusetts where she and her siblings spent the entire summer on the beach. Annette graduated from Roslindale High School in the early 1950's and immediately began working as an operator for the New England Telephone Company.

In 1951 Annette was introduced to her brother’s friend Vincent. Love blossomed between the two, and on September 12, 1953, Annette married the love of her life, Vincent Paul Dantuono, at the Sacred Heart Church in Roslindale. The young couple initially settled in the West Roxbury neighborhood of Boston, before purchasing their forever home in Walpole, Massachusetts. There they raised their two daughters Linda and Eileen. Annette stepped away from traditional work to raise her family until the girls were older, when she returned to the telephone company.

Annette was always involved in her girls’ activities, volunteering at the school library, serving on the PTA, and helping with their Girl Scout Troops. Camping, overnights, and many troop events were coordinated thanks to Annette's diligence and knack for planning. Annette was famous for her baked goods which she shared among her family and friends and frequently contributed to bake sales. As her girls grew older, Annette volunteered her time elsewhere in town, with both the Junior Women's Club and the Walpole Food Pantry. She was a member of the Ladies Sodality at Saint Timothy's Church in Norwood, her spiritual home, as well as the Regis Guild at her daughter Linda's college. At home she would keep busy knitting, making beautiful afghans, mittens, and hats that she would donate to those in need.

Time with family was central to Annette's life. She loved to spend time with her brothers and sister. She was especially close with her sister Joan, who was her best friend and partner in crime.The two sisters worked together at the telephone company and would take "field trips" around town with each other. Her husband and children were the light of her life, which only grew brighter when she became a Nana, and later a great grandmother. She doted on her grandchildren throughout their lives and when they went off to college, regularly reminded them that Nana loved them by sending care packages containing goodies.

Annette officially retired after 25 cumulative years at the telephone company at the age of 62. Retirement was a little too dull for her though, and she sought out a job at Decelle's and later Marshall's as a bookkeeper. She worked into her 80’s and was always dedicated to her jobs, never letting weather or illness hold her back or make her late. When she did take the time to relax and enjoy retirement, Annette could often be found on the beach, especially at the Village Green Resort in South Yarmouth. She loved the sun, the surf, and the sand, especially if her darling Vincent was by her side.

Beloved wife of the late Vincent Paul Dantuono.

Loving mother of Linda Marie Santos and her husband Ken of Marshfield, and Eileen Frances Martin and her husband Steven of Walpole.

Cherished grandmother of Matthew Martin and his partner Jennifer, Kimberly Dunn and her husband Patrick, Christina Bilodeau and her husband John, and Russell Santos, and great grandmother of Lia and Hailey.

Sister of John Paul McEleney and his late wife Mary of Silver Spring, Maryland, and Joan Sullivan and her late husband Paul of Walpole, and the late Patrick McEleney and his late wife Gertrude.

Also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, extended relatives, and friends.

At the request of Annette's family, all funeral services will be private with interment taking place at Saint Francis Cemetery in Walpole.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Annette's name may be made to Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital at 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 or by visiting https://www.stjude.org/

Arrangements by James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, Walpole.