Elsie Howard
Member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, homemaker and family caregiver
On Friday morning, December 11, Elsie M. (Gill) Howard died at the Rosewood Nursing and Rehab in Peabody at the age of 101.
A lifelong Chelsea resident born and raised there, Elsie was the daughter of the late John and Jesse (Higgins) Gill. She devoted herself to homemaking and caring for family members. Her involvement in the community included membership in St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Chelsea and St. Luke’s Women’s Guild, and she was known as an enthusiastic bingo player who cherished time spent with her family.
Her beloved husband, Richard J. Howard, preceded her in death, as did sons Richard J. Howard, Jr. and Thomas J. Howard. She is survived by her daughter Ruth J. Hall of Florida; her daughter-in-law Gail Howard of West Newbury; and six grandchildren: James, Richard, Christine, Lynne, Donna and Laurie. She was also preceded in death by granddaughter Deborah Hall. Ten great-grandchildren survive her. She was also preceded by siblings Thomas Gill, Mildred and Louise Gill, Ruth Griffin and Flora Casey, and by daughters-in-law Dianne Howard and T. Bob Hall.
The Carafa Family Funeral Home, Chelsea, handled arrangements. She was laid to rest in Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett.
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Lawrence Sullivan
Served Three Terms as a Chelsea Alderman and was head of the Chelsea School Traffic Department
Lawrence F. Sullivan, 84, of Melrose and formerly of Chelsea, passed away shortly after noon on December 11 at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
Raised in Revere, Sullivan returned from active duty in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict, where he met Doris, who would become his wife. Following their marriage, the couple settled in Chelsea for nearly 50 years before relocating to Melrose seven years prior. He worked with the Boston Gas Company for more than 40 years, retiring in 1995 as customer service supervisor.
During the late 1970s and early 1980s, Larry was elected to three terms on the Chelsea Board of Aldermen. Known for his dedication to family and friends, he was an avid camper. His generous spirit and interpersonal skills led him to serve on the Board of Directors for the Mass Gas and Electric Credit Union and the Chelsea Senior Center. He participated in the Princemen Chorus and the Irish Club, and remained active with Chelsea even after retirement, serving as head of the Chelsea School Traffic Department.
Sullivan was the devoted husband of 61 years to Doris M. (Arsenault). He is survived by children Donna Sullivan-Keohane of Wakefield, William “Sully” Sullivan of Melrose and Debbie Sullivan of Everett; grandchildren Ryan Keohane and his wife Lauren of Framingham and Christopher Keohane and his companion Christine Bossalini of Melrose; and great-grandchildren Leo and Nolan Keohane. He was preceded in death by his daughter’s husband, Kevin Keohane. His siblings included Edna McCauley of Melrose, Ellen Thornton of Lynn, Florence Twomey of Norwood, Carol Mendez of Georgetown, and the late Elizabeth Pentony, Claire McKenna, Margaret Nickerson, John, Martin, William, Edward, Leo, Leonard, Raymond and James Sullivan. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
The Smith Funeral Home, Chelsea, managed arrangements. Committal Services were private. In Larry’s memory, the family suggests donations to the Joslin Diabetes Clinic, 1 Joslin Place, Suite 745, Boston, MA 02115. Condolences may be sent through www.smithfuneralhomes.com
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Virginia Strasser
Retired home health aide
Virginia E. (Haskell) Strasser, 93, of Wakefield and formerly of Chelsea, died on December 10 at the Greenwood Nursing and Care Center in Wakefield, where she was receiving supportive care.
She spent her career as a home health aide for Intercity Homemaker Service of Malden before retiring.
Born in Stoneham to the late William and Isabelle (Kelley) Haskell, Virginia was the devoted wife of the late Frederick J. Strasser and the late Henry A. Rufo, Sr. She is survived by children Kathleen Rufo of Newbury, Henry A. Rufo, Jr. of Los Angeles, California, Annmarie Noble of South Bend, Indiana, and Stephen Strasser of Wakefield. She was preceded in death by sons William Strasser and siblings Phyllis Sombo and Leslie Haskell.
The Smith Funeral Home, Chelsea, handled arrangements. Committal Services were private. Condolences may be sent through www.smithfuneralhomes.com