Louise Marie Presti Obituary (1925 - 2012)

WINTHROP -- Louise Marie Presti, 86, died Sunday, July 22, 2012, following a long illness. Louise was born in The Bronx, N.Y., on Oct. 10, 1925, the daughter of Ernest and Libria (Magliano) DeSalvo. Louise grew up in The Bronx and graduated from Walton High School in New York City, where she also attended Byrd's Business School. She met her husband, Joseph Presti, while they were both employed by Parents Magazine. They were married on Feb. 3, 1946, after Joseph was discharged from the Navy. Together they raised three children and, in 1966, they opened The Cheese Shop, a gourmet food business in Upper Montclair, N.J. In 1980, they sold the business and moved to an adult community in Brick Township on the Jersey Shore. In 2001, they moved to Maine to be closer to two of their children and their families. Louise was a very intelligent woman. She enjoyed many activities such as crossword puzzles, playing mahjongg and bowling, but she was happiest when she was entertaining and spending time with her family. She was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Winthrop. Louise is survived by her husband of 66 years, Joseph Presti Sr. of Winthrop; one son, Joseph Presti Jr. and his wife, Sharon, of Winthrop; two daughters, Lynn Bothe of Westwood, N.J., and Susan Gallo and her husband, Richard, of Winthrop; one brother, Angelo DeSalvo and his wife, Kathleen, of Toms River, N.J.; one sister, Marie Grosso and her husband, Alex, of Bayville, N.J.; nine grandchildren, Joseph Presti III, Christopher Presti and his wife, Heidi, Mathew Presti, Richard Gallo III and his wife, Melissa, John Gallo and his fiance, Nicki Francis, Laura Stevens and her husband, Matthew, Stephen Gallo, Robert Both Jr. and his wife, Lori, and Michael Bothe and his wife, Janice; eight great-grandchildren, Jordon, Kate and Joseph Bothe, Gia and Keegan Francis and James, Christopher Michael, and Meelah Presti; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Relatives and friends may visit from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 25, at Knowlton & Hewins Funeral Home, 1 Church St., Augusta. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Thursday at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Route 133, Winthrop. Burial will follow in St. Peters Cemetery, Lewiston. Memories, condolences, photos and videos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the website at www.khrfuneralhomes.com.