HAVERHILL - Lynne Marie (Benenati) Gioia, aged 73 years, passed away peacefully at her Haverhill residence of 45 years, surrounded by loved ones, after a 25-year long battle with cancer on Thursday, August 22. She was a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend to many.

Born in Lawrence, Massachusets on June 11, 1951, the daughter of Francesco and Rose (Brosco) Benenati, Lynne was married to Ronald Gioia for 50 years. She is predeceased by her parents and brother Michael, and survived by husband Ronald, son Scott and daughter Stacey DeIorio (and husband T.J.), granddaughter Sierra Rogers (and fiancé Ian Bushnell), and sisters Susan Gagne (and husband Al) and Maria Paladino (and husband Frank), as well as her many nieces and nephews.

Lynne graduated from Lawrence High School in 1969 and the Lawrence General School of Nursing in 1975. A caring and devoted nurse for over 40 years, throughout her career Lynne worked as a psychiatric nurse, rehabilitation nurse, school nurse, and visiting nurse. While Lynne loved her work helping people of all ages, she also enjoyed sewing, music, Pokeno, cooking, theater, Scrabble, gardening, traveling, romance novels, the beach and spending time with her family.

Lynne always saw the good in everyone. Her smile was contagious. To know her was to love her. And to be a part of her life was both a pleasure, and a blessing.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 28, in the Driscoll Funeral Home, 309 S. Main Street, Haverhill, beginning at 4:00 PM. Words of Remebrance will take place at 5:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Ameican Cancer Society at donate.cancer.org in the name of Lynne Gioia. For guestbook, visit www.driscollcares.com