Berlin – Eleanor “Ellie” M. (Sawyer) Bosselman, 96, passed away peacefully Sunday, March 11, 2012, surrounded by her loving family in the Marlborough Hills Health Care Center. She was the daughter of Walter A. and Mary Ellen (Mahan) Sawyer. Her beloved husband, John W. Bosselman Jr., died in 1964.
She leaves her sons, John W. Bosselman III of Northborough and Dennis P. Bosselman and his wife Sabrina of Berlin; her daughter, Cheryl A. Flynn and her husband William of Northborough; 14 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews. Her four brothers, Walter, Harold, William, and Kenneth, predeceased her.
Mrs. Bosselman loved her family, treasured the many hours spent with her great-granddaughter Anna, and took great enjoyment in family reunions. She was especially close to and loved by her granddaughter, Carol.
Born in Berlin, she was a lifelong resident, attending Berlin schools and graduating from Hudson High School. In 1948, she and her husband built a home in West Berlin, where they raised their family.
She was employed for many years at the Colonial Press Books, until its closing, and then worked at the Clinton District Court until retirement. She was a founder of St. Joseph the Good Provider Church in Berlin, an organizing member of the St. Joseph's Women's Club, and a long-time member of the Evening Guild of the First Parish Church of Berlin and several other organizations. She was very active in the civic and social life of her community, and was a dedicated volunteer for numerous events.
Mrs. Bosselman enjoyed growing flowers and vegetables, maintaining gardens late in her life. She loved nature and had a lifelong interest in nurturing birds, especially bluebirds. In recent years, she enjoyed taking art classes. In 2008, the Selectmen of Berlin presented her with a symbolic Boston Post Road Cane recognizing her as the oldest resident of the town.
She always looked forward to the time she spent with her close companions, Judy Diamond and Judy Russo from Home Instead Senior Care, who treated her with great kindness.
Her family appreciates the compassionate care she received at Marlborough Hills Healthcare Center and from the Care Alternative Hospice.
Calling hours will be held Thursday, March 15, from 4 to 7 p.m., in Hays Funeral Home, 56 Main St., Northborough. Her funeral Mass will be held Friday, March 16, at 10 a.m., in St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 52 West St., Berlin. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery in Lancaster.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Berlin Emergency Rescue Squad, c/o Dennis Bartlett, 23 Linden St., Berlin, MA 01503.
For online condolences, please visit www.haysfuneralhome.com.
