Obituary of Edith Irene Ozelius

Edith Irene Ozelius, 93, passed away March 5 at the Sawtell Family Hospice House in Reading, MA after a short illness. She was born and raised in Brockton Massachusetts and preferred to be called Irene. Irene’s parents were Swedish immigrants, She was proud of her Swedish heritage and carried that throughout her life. Graduating from Brockton High School in 1945, Irene went on to study nursing at Simmons College and the Deaconess Hospital in Boston. After obtaining her RN, Irene worked at the Brockton Hospital and the Goddard Hospital in Stoughton. In 1952, Irene married the love of her life Edwin W. Ozelius. Settling in North Easton they had four children, Jean, Joyce, Steven and John over the next ten years. In 1965, Edwin and Irene moved to Woburn where they raised their four children. Irene worked at the former Choate Hospital in Woburn, Liberty Mutual and also continued her education and received a Bachelor’s Degree in 1986 from Northeastern University. Irene and Ed shared a love of travel. She would research and plan each and every trip. They enjoyed many trips including a cruise on the QE2, travel with the Lynn, MA chapter of the Civil War Round Table, multiple trips to Sweden and Europe and winters in Florida. Irene enjoyed family summer vacations on Cape Cod, especially Dennisport. She was the planner of the trips, the holiday get- togethers and the family outings. Irene especially loved spending time with her six grandchildren and two great grandchildren. She was known for making sure that every birthday and every holiday was special. She also enjoyed baking, knitting, crocheting and playing the piano right through the last year of her life. Music was a very important part of her life. In the late 1970s she was actively involved as a parent supporting the Woburn High School Band. This included a one year term as President of the Woburn High School Band (parents) Guild. Irene was a longtime member of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Woburn. Irene had many friends at church and participated in the Alter Guild and Woman’s group among others. Also, Irene enjoyed the Woburn Public Library and the Woburn Senior Center. In addition to spending many hours at the Senior Center, Irene volunteered to play piano at the Woburn Senior Center. Irene is survived by two daughters, Jean Brey and her husband Gary, Joyce Ozelius and her husband Laurence McCaig; one son, John Ozelius; and she was preceded in death by one son, the late Steven Ozelius. She is also survived by her daughter-in-law, Maritza Ozelius; and six grandchildren, Christopher Brey and his wife Lisa, Andrew Ozelius, Matthew Ozelius and his wife Lily Carey, Peter Ozelius, Ethan Ozelius, and Anna Ozelius. Irene is further survived by two great grandchildren, Jesse and Taylor Ozelius-Delgado. Visitation hours will be held at the Graham Funeral Home, 3 Arlington Rd., Woburn on Thursday evening, March 11 from 6-8 pm. Burial will be private. Per current Covid-19 restrictions, we kindly ask that that everyone in attendance wear a face covering, and observe social distancing guidelines during all services and at all venues. Contributions in Irene’s memory may be made to Cooperative Elder Services, 2352 Main St., Suite 108, Concord, MA 01742