Maryann “Shoshana” Astrauckas, of Franklin, MA passed away peacefully on May 9, 2014, after a brief battle with cancer. A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm on June 14 at the Franklin Union Street Cemetery. Immediately following internment, the family will receive guests at Debra's home in Franklin (20-A Hawthorne Village). Burial arrangements are being handled by Ginley Funeral Home.
Shoshana was born in New York, NY on March 20, 1944 and grew up in Bronx, NY. Shoshana attended Christopher Columbus High School High School, Framingham State College and Dean College. Shoshana’s sudden illness and passing preempted her final credits pursuing a Bachelors in Human services. Shoshana was married to Thomas J. Fahey on February 8, 1964. They were married 13 years and had four children before divorcing in 1977. Shoshana later married Bruce Woodward of Sherborn, MA in 1982 and they were married for five years.
Shoshana was a dynamic entrepreneur who sang professionally in venues from Boston to Miami, loved movies, the NY Yankees, The Honeymooners, Golden Girls, enjoyed art, music, meditation, dancing, dining out, cappuccinos (with plenty of froth), taught professional ballroom dancing, operated her own dance studio and was a teacher at the Mary French School of Dance in Wellesley, MA. Shoshana owned floral shops in Framingham and Ashland, MA and also had successful ventures in real estate and insurance. Throughout her life, she was a caregiver for the elderly and people with disabilities, volunteered as a museum docent, providing tours and enriching the museum experience for others.
Shoshana had an amazing ability to bring people together and although divorced, she, Tom Sr, and Bruce, and children and great/grandchildren, for many years celebrated birthday, holidays and special times together as a large family. Her greatest joys were her children and great/grandchildren.
Shoshana lived with humor, faith and courage, had a great attitude, an amazing laugh, and sense of humor that was larger than life. Shoshana was a happy, positive, energetic and dynamic person who lived life fully everyday of her 70 years. Shoshana’s trusted her spiritual journey every day of her life and transitioned peacefully.
Shoshana is survived by her four children; her sons Thomas and John, her daughters Debra and Patricia and four grandchildren and one great-grandchild, and many other family and friends. Shoshana is preceded in death by her mother Pasqualena (Lena) Andriana Astrauckas, of Framingham, her father, George Astrauckas of Matapan, NJ, her brothers Michael Astrauckas of Queens NY and George of Atlanta, GA. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made for the care of Shoshana's disabled son Thomas Fahey, Jr and sent to Debra Fahey of Franklin in trust for him.