Age 22. 220 Hanover Street, Boston. Born (as Vincenza Maddeline Poto) on 9/01/1920, Boston. Died of carbon monoxide poisoning (death certificate). Secretary at Sandberg Equipment Co. (contractors equipment), Cambridge, MA. Known as "Jennie." In a main dining room raised rear terrace party of nine with her husband Lieut. Benjamin Chiampa, U.S. Army, age 25 (Born 7/23/1917. Died 7/17/1995, age 77. Last residence Boca Raton, FL), injured, and his 15-year-old sister Eleanor, dead. One additional party member perished, Mrs. Adele Dreyfus, age 22, of Brookline, MA (her husband Joseph, age 22, survived). Husband had graduated from Officers Training School, Fort Washington, MD, one month prior. "At the time of the fire and stampede, Lieut. Chiampa was dancing with his sister. Unquestionably, he was unable to get to his bride's assistance" (Boston Italian News, 12/04/1942). Remains were reported found under a "human pile" against the main revolving door. With her husband had attended the historic afternoon B.C./Holy Cross college football contest at Fenway Park (Mr. Chiampa recalled to The Boston Globe, 11/26/1967: "I was still at Fort Washington...when my wife wrote to tell me she had bought tickets for the game and made reservations...at Cocoanut Grove"). Her parents had joined the party but left earlier for home. Grove bookkeeper Miss Rose Gnecco, age 47 (Born 6/16/1895. Died as Rose M. Ebner on 10/31/1993, age 98. Last residence North Attleborough, MA), not present, first learned of the blaze via a phone call from the concerned mother of Mrs. Chiampa (and a friend of Miss Gnecco) after Mrs. Poto heard early fire reports on the radio. Father recalled in 1967: "She was No. 6 at the morgue when we found her. Her nose was battered and her leg was broken. She must have been trampled under foot in a rush for the door" (The Boston Globe, 11/26/1967). Related by assistant pastor and fire witness Fr. Damian Sanò, age 29 in 1942 (Born 5/29/1913. Died 10/26/1979, age 66. Last residence Brighton, MA): "When I saw the body of Jennie Poto [sic], a girl from my own parish, I was struck by the enormity of the tragedy" (The Boston Globe, 11/26/1967). Graduate of Mount Saint Joseph Academy (girls' Catholic high school), Boston. Married in September 1941, in Boston (birth name "Vincenza M. Poto" on her license). Was staying with her parents at the Hub address above while her husband served. "Her smiling and genial disposition endeared her to all who knew her" (Boston Italian News, 12/04/1942). Some confusion over her given name: shown as "Jeannette" in almost all news coverage (apparently incorrect), "Jennie" in the '40 federal census, in paid death notices and in her father's 1978 obituary, "Giovanna" in era street listings and on her death certificate. Was a niece of former state senator Joseph Langone, Jr. Double funeral services with Eleanor Chiampa held the following Friday. Parents Mr. and Mrs. Anthony L. and Ada L. (Fagnani) Poto. Burial with Miss Chiampa at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden, MA.

‍