LEICESTER: ELLEN L. ORSI FUNERAL SERVICES WILL BE HELD ON FRIDAY, MAY 21 AT 11 A.M. IN THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF LEICESTER, 1 Washburn Sq., Leicester. Burial will follow in Cherry Valley Cemetery. The service can be viewed live on Facebook by searching for the First Congregational Church of Leicester page. The stream will begin shortly before 11 a.m. or can be viewed as a recording within an hour after the service ends.
Ellen L. (Gustafson) Orsi, 89, of Cherry Valley, passed away peacefully at home after a brief illness on Monday, February 15, 2021.
Born in Worcester, Ellen was one of eight children of the late Benhard and Josephine (Taft) Gustafson. She was a graduate of Leicester High School. After helping raise her brothers and sisters she vowed not to have children of her own. Ellen liked to joke about this because she ended up having seven children. She met and married the love of her life, the late Alfred P. Orsi, Jr., while working at the Fruit Stand in Worcester. They shared over fifty years together until his passing in 2005.
Ellen, in her free time, enjoyed taking rides with her husband to New Hampshire, quilting, sewing, knitting, donating her time and talents to the church good will services and spending quality time with her extensive family.
She leaves her loving children, Dennis P. Orsi and his wife Janet of Charlton, Robert A. Orsi and his wife Bonnie of Spencer, Susan M. Sheridan and her husband Thomas of Oakham, Caroline A. Lauder of Leicester, Lisa J. Calnan and her husband Christopher of Upton, and Karin M. Orsi of Cherry Valley; her siblings; Ann, Marjorie, Marie, John, Lynda, and Paul. Her beloved grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great great grandchildren, too numerous to count; and many nieces and nephews. Ellen was predeceased by her son Gary Orsi. and a brother Benhard Gustafson, Jr.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Elder Services of Worcester Area Inc., Nutrition Program , 67 Millbrook Street, Suite 100,Worcester, MA 01606 and/or Bay State Equine Rescue, Inc., 415 Hunt Rd, Oakham, MA 01068, http://baystateequinerescue.com. MORIN FUNERAL HOME, 1131 Main St., Leicester is directing arrangements for the family.