Ethel (Stygles) Gorrasi

Ethel (Stygles) Gorrasi, passed away Saturday, March 26th. Beloved wife of Jerome J. Gorrasi Sr. of Woburn. Devoted mother of Jerome “Jerry” Gorrasi Jr.,and his wife Michelle M. of Woburn. Dear sister of John Stygles and his wife Rose of Woburn,Joseph Stygles of Billerica and the late Leo Stygles, Edith Jones and Mary DeLorenzo. Loving grandmother of Michael Gorrasi and his wife Bonnie, Jay Gorrasi and his wife Sara and Timothy Gorrasi and great grandchildren, Mia and Valentina. Relatives and friends may call on Wednesday, March 30th, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main Street, Woburn. A Graveside Service will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Washington Street, Woburn, at 12:15 p.m. Donations may be made in Mrs. Gorrasi’s memory to the Boys and Girls Club of Woburn, Charles Gardner Lane, Woburn, MA 01801.

OBITUARY:

Ethel (Stygles) Gorrasi, a lifelong resident of Woburn, passed away Saturday, March 26th at the Woburn Nursing Center. The beloved wife of Jerome J. Gorrasi Sr., she was eighty-eight years of age. Born in Woburn, Ethel was the daughter of the late Minot and Annette (Stenquist) Stygles. She attended the Woburn Public Schools and was a graduate of Woburn High School in 1939.

On July 4, 1943, Ethel married Jerome J. Gorrasi, Sr., to whom she was devoted for sixty eight years. Their family home was established in the Hammond Square section of the city where they raised their son, Jerome “Jerry”Jr. Ethel was truly the consummate wife and mother. As a family, they enjoyed traveling to Cape Cod, hosting family parties and cookouts and celebrating all of the holidays at their home.

Ethel and Jerome worked side by side in their family shop, Pinewood Gift Shop located in downtown Woburn. After the gift shopped closed, they continued to work together in the catering business for over thirty years. They catered a myriad of functions from large weddings to small family gatherings. Ethel possessed boundless energy and took great pride in everything they made. Her generosity and thoughtfulness reached beyond her family to her numerous neighbors and friends. Wherever she went she always brought that person’s favorite baked treat.

In later years, Ethel and her husband were blessed with three grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Nana as she was adoringly known, cherished spending time with them.

Ethel was a member of the Edmond Lodge #91.

She was predeceased by her siblings, Leo Stygles, Edith Jones and Mary DeLorenzo.

Ethel is lovingly survived by her husband, Jerome J. Gorrasi Sr., her son, Jerome “Jerry” Gorrasi Jr.,and his wife Michelle of Woburn, her bothers, John Stygles and his wife Rose of Woburn and Joseph Stygles of Billerica, her grandchildren, Michael Gorrasi and his wife Bonnie, Jay Gorrasi and his wife Sara, Timothy Gorrasi and her great grandchildren, Mia and Valentina.

Relatives and friends may call on Wednesday March 30th, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main Street, Woburn. A Graveside Service will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Washington Street, Woburn, at 12:15 p.m. Donations may be made in Mrs. Gorrasi’s memory to the Boys and Girls Club of Woburn, Charles Gardner Lane, Woburn, MA 01801.