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Adelaide "Addie" (DiMuzio) Lalli, a much-loved Boston College Dining Services manager and namesake for a popular campus eatery, died March 20 at her home in Chestnut Hill. She was 88.
Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, March 24, from 3-8 p.m. in the Magni Funeral Home, 365 Watertown St., Newton. A funeral Mass for Mrs. Lalli will be celebrated March 25 at 10 a.m. in Sacred Heart Church of Newton Center.
Mrs. Lalli worked in Dining Services for 35 years, making friends not only among fellow employees but also students, and becoming something of a legend for her fresh, homemade ravioli — and, according to one colleague, because of her penchant for starting a conga line with her staff at the end of campus functions.
“Addie made sure the customer was happy and enjoyed their visit with us,” wrote Associate Director for Restaurant Operations Megan K. O'Neill in a letter to Dining Services employees announcing Mrs. Lalli’s death. “Many, many individuals learned from and benefited from her expertise, her dedication and certainly her determination.”
When the Corcoran Commons dining hall opened during the 1993-94 academic year, it included a fast-serve counter under the direction of Mrs. Lalli that was formally named “Addie’s Place.” It was later turned into a café, “The Loft @ Addie’s,” specializing in foods from local and sustainable sources.
O’Neill recalled Mrs. Lalli’s lasting rapport with her co-workers and staff. “She loved sitting down with her ‘students’ and hearing what they had been doing since they graduated umpteen years ago. She remembered each and every one of them and could usually tell a pretty accurate story of when they worked for her. She was so proud of each and every one that she worked with.”
Mrs. Lalli also had an enduring bond with BC students, O’Neill added. “Alumni returning to campus every year still ask about Addie, and until this past year, didn’t seem surprised to hear she was still working and could be found to say ‘Hello.’”
Born in Italy, Mrs. Lalli immigrated to the United States as a child and along with her family settled in Newton, which would become her life-long home. During World War II she worked on a war production assembly line at Raytheon in Waltham. In 1961, she began working at Tony’s Italian Villa restaurant in Newton Center, managing most every aspect of the operation from kitchen to cash register, before moving to BC.
She is survived by her husband, George; her daughters Diane White of Chestnut Hill and Linda Lindsey of Medway; and five grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother Carmen DiMuzio of Hudson, Mass.
Mrs. Lalli was the daughter of the late Cesidio and Giulia (Ferrante) DiMuzio, and sister of the late Ernest DiMuzio and Aurelio (Bill) DiMuzio.
Donations in her memory may be made to: Hospice of the North Shore & Greater Boston, 75 Sylvan St., Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923.