Barbara Zullo-Libby
Jan. 30, 1939 – Jan. 25, 2020
Barbara Zullo-Libby, 82, passed away unexpectedly in her Chelsea home on Saturday, Jan. 25.
Born and raised in Chelsea, she was one of eleven children born to the late Christopher Zullo, Sr. and Angelina (Riccio) Zullo. She attended local schools and was a lifelong resident of Chelsea.
She was the beloved wife of the late John W. Libby and was widowed 37 years ago.
A single mother of five, she worked outside of her home to support her family. She held various jobs at Shrafts’ Candies and K-Mart and was a familiar cashier at Stop and Shop in Chelsea before taking her retirement.
During her lifetime, Barbara enjoyed spending time with family and friends, she was an adoring cherished grandmother remembered for her dancing and trips to casinos and was an active member and volunteer at the Chelsea Senior Center for many years.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was also predeceased by her ten siblings; her sister, the late Elizabeth Sofia and brothers; Charlie Zullo, Felix Zullo, Mario Zullo, James Zullo, Michael Zullo, Anthony Zullo, Jerry Zullo, John Zullo, Joseph Zullo and Christopher Zullo, Jr. She was the beloved mother of Frank L. Tallent of Stoneham and his fiancée Diann DiBenedetto, John Libby and his wife Leona of Chelsea, Robert Libby of Carver, James Libby of Chelsea and Linda Bednarek and her husband Kevin of Tewksbury. Cherished grandmother of Jeffrey Tallent, Robert Libby, Jr., Brianna Libby, Daniel Libby, Nicholas Libby, Madison Libby, James Libby, Eric Libby, Brendan Bednarek, Ryan Bednarek and Mackenzie Bednarek. She is also survived by her dear friend Jimmy Nardizzi and many nieces, nephews and extended family members.
Funeral arrangements were by the Welsh Funeral Home, Chelsea. Interment was at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.
Gertrude ‘Trudy” Ostler
Dec. 8, 1924 – Feb. 2, 2020
Gertrude “Trudy” Ostler, 95, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, Feb. 2.
Born in Boston, the beloved daughter of the late George B. and Laura E. Foote, she spent her early childhood in Francestown, NH. As her father sought employment and health care for her mother, the young family moved back and forth from the Boston area to New Hampshire. Trudy attended elementary school in Francestown, high school in Somerville and graduated from the Jeremiah Burke High School in Boston, Class of ‘43.
During the war years, Trudy worked at various jobs. She worked as a Nanny and belonged to the group of ladies known as “Rosie the Riveter,” working in local mills and as a sheet metal worker in the Charlestown Navy Yard.
Trudy met U.S. soldier Donald Ostler early in 1944 at Revere Beach. They were married in the rectory at St. William’s Church in Dorchester on Dec. 28, 1944. As an Army wife, she traveled with Donald to Camp Bowie in Brownwood, Texas, where he was in training before going overseas. There she held several jobs off post, her husband would walk the ten miles each day to be at home with Trudy every night. After his deployment overseas, she came home alone to Boston and returned briefly to Francestown, NH, anticipating the first of what would later be ten children.
After Donald’s return, they settled in Hudson, East Boston, and then she spent most of her life in Chelsea raising their family.
Trudy worked outside of her home at the Brown Jug and at the Post Office. For many years, she worked for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a payroll administrator where she would boast that it was her job to make sure the Governor got paid.
After her retirement, she settled between Lunenburg, VT and Orange City, FL. And she later moved close to family in Peabody and Saugus.
Trudy was widowed in 2013 at the passing of her husband, Donald after 68 years of love and devotion together. In addition to her husband and parents, Trudy was also predeceased by her brother, Robert E. Foote and her three sons; the late Warren, Kevin and Matthew Ostler. She was the forever devoted mother of Patricia McCarthy and her husband, Vince of Nashua, NH, Charles Ostler and his wife, Karen of Boynton Beach, FL, Donna Czerwinski and her husband, Joseph of Malden, Maureen Tamasiunas and her husband, Allan of Farmington, NH, Aileen Charles and her husband, Steven of Altoona, PA, Kathleen Nolan and her husband, Robert of Saugus and Lauretta Russo and her husband, John of Winter Park, FL. She is also survived by 16 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.
Visiting hours will be at the Welsh Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea today, Thursday Feb. 6 from 4 to 8 p.m. Relatives and friends are most kindly invited to attend. Her Funeral will be held from the Welsh Funeral Home on Friday, Feb. 7 at 9 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Rose Church, 600 Broadway, Chelsea at 10 a.m. Services will conclude with interment at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne at 1:45 p.m.
The funeral home is fully handicap accessible, ample parking opposite.