Edith Sparling

Edith Mae (Maldarella) Sparling passed away on August 6, 2025. She was born on May 13, 1931 in Middle Granville, New York to Antonio B. Malderella and Mary (Gordon) Maldarell.

She leaves behind her children Marie K LaPointe of Zebulon NC and MIchaelHanks of Barre, MA. She also leaves her grand children Alexander Hanks, James Hanks, and Christopher Hanks (sons of Michael and Joann of Barre), Major Mathew Hanks USMC, Michael J. Hanks, and Ethan Hanks (sons of John Hanks Jr., and Susan Aguilar of Hull, MA), Noelle Winckleman(daughter of John Hanks Jr., and Michelle Hanks of New York, New York), and IdaLapointe (daughter of Marie and Roger Lapoint of NC). She is also survived by her brother Antonio Maldarella of Lander, Wyoming and many nieces and nephews.

Edith was predeceased by her son, John V. Hanks Jr of Ft Lauderdale, her sisters Gensie Parker, Nicoletta Condon, Shirley Gillette, and her brothers Daniel Maldarella and John (Jack) Maldarella.

edith was a 1949 graduate of Fitchburg High School. She studied laboratory cytotechnology at Fitchburg State College adn workedin the cancer detection department at Burbank Hospital where she met her future husband Dr Harlold Sparling.

Edith married John Hanks Sr. whom she partnered with in roller skating dance competitions at Whalom Park. She and her husband also belonged to Turners Hall in Fitchburg, and competed in many gymnastic events throughout the 1940's and 50's. She and John built a home on Silver Street in Cleghorn. She attended The Madonna of the Holy Rosary Church, and was a devoted catholic.

Edith and John moved to Holden, MA in 1966. She moved to Union City TN with Dr. Sparling in 1969 and they were married in KY in 1970. Dr Sparling suffered from poor health and passed in 1974. Edith then moved to Gloucester, MA and worked at various jobs until becoming interested in restoring ancient cemeteries eventually becoming the City's official cemetery record keeper. She served on the Gloucester Historical Commission, the 375th Anniversary committee, teh Gloucester archives committee, Historic Buildings and Plaques committee, The Gloucester civic and garden council, formed the First Parish burial grounds project which placed the 1643 historic burial ground on the national register of histoic plances. She worked to repair and reset tombstones in many cemeteries. Edith retired to care for her father Antonio who passed in 2001. She then moved to Middle Granville, NY where she bought and restored the home she was born in and added it to the national register. An accomplished oil painter, she cherished the time she could find to pursue her art . She moved back to Cape Ann in 2021 and spent her last days there in the company of friends.

A service will be held on August 16, 2025 at 10AM at St. Bernards cemetery in Fitchburg, MA.

Donations can be made in her name to https://ourfatherstable.org/.

Brandon Funeral Home is assisting the family with Edith's arrangements.