Accountant and grandmother of eight
Published in the January 12, 2017 edition
NORTH READING – Ellen M. (Donnelly) Raso – 78, of North Reading, formerly of Medford and Charlestown, died at her home on Friday, January 6, 2017. She was the beloved wife of the late Anthony P. Raso.
Born in Boston, MA on March 4, 1938. She was the daughter of the late John T. and Anna M. (Warren) Donnelly. Ellen graduated from grade school at St. Mary’s in Charlestown, High School from Cardinal Cushing in Boston and she received an Accounting Certificate from Bentley College.
Ellen worked in accounting at the Boston Navy Shipyard in Charlestown, until its closure in 1975. She also worked for the Boyd Corporation in Woburn and Baystate Smelting in Somerville.
She was a devoted mother and grandmother. Ellen loved being surrounded by her family and friends. She always went out of her way to make everyone around her feel comfortable and welcome.
Ellen was an active member of the Immaculate Conception Church in Malden and was deeply involved in Parent Teacher Association.
Family members include her loving sons, John Raso of Medford and Stephen Raso and his fiancé Kerri Yuszkus of Wilmington; daughters, Lynne Koeller and Carol Smith and her husband Kevin, all of North Reading; 8 grandchildren, Meaghan, Michael, Katie and Grace Koeller, Colleen, Connor, Aidan and Colin Smith.
Her Memorial Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, January 14 at 10:30 AM, at St. Mary’s Church, 55 Warren Street, Charlestown. A collation will follow celebrating Ellen’s life at the Knights of Columbus in Charlestown. There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in her memory to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, P.O. Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005. Arrangements are by the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com.
