Elisa Cortes-DeJesus
Hispanic Community Advocate
Elisa Cortes-DeJesus of Saugus died on Oct.1 3.
Born on May 10, 1949 in Arroyo, Puerto Rico, she spent her early years on the island and met her husband, Jose Otero Valentin in the city of Santurce, Puerto Rico. They had two children, Jose Otero Jr. and Elsa Otero. She moved off the island after her divorce and settled in Chelsea in the early 70’s. She worked and put herself through school to earn a Masters Degree in education from Antioch University. She became a social worker and an advocate for the Hispanic community. She was also employed by the city of Chelsea and then by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the Department of Transitional Assistance for many years. She was also involved with the Puerto Rican festival committee for several years.
She lived in Chelsea most of her life and eventually moved to Saugus in 2009 with her husband of 19 years, Jose Ocasio. She was the devoted mother of Jose Otero and his companion, Colleen Lewis and Elsa Otero and her companion, Esteban Caraballo; beloved sister of Maggie Paris and Eduardo Paris, both of Puerto Rico and the late Enrique Paris and Victor DeJesus; cherished grandmother of Angel Andrades, Alexandria Andrades, Cristian Alas, Rosario Alas and Dante Otero. She is also lovingly survived by her great grandson, Xavier Ferreira as well as many nieces and nephews.
Family and friends are kindly invited to attend her Funeral from the Smith Funeral Home, 125 Washington Avenue, Chelsea today, Thursday, Oct. 18 at 9 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass to be celebrated in St. Rose Church, 600 Broadway, Chelsea at 10 o’clock. Services will conclude with interment at Riverside Cemetery, Saugus. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions in her name be made to the Kaplan Family Hospice House, 78 Liberty Street, Danvers, MA 01923.
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Irene Tkaczuk
Former Clerk Supervisor at the Chelsea Memorial Hospital (now MGH), long active in the Chelsea Polish Community
Irene F. (Flower) Tkaczuk passed away Monday morning, Oct. 15 at the Rosewood Nursing Center in Peabody after a long, chronic illness. She was 89 years old.
The daughter of the late Louis and Frances (Weslowski) Flower, Irene was born and raised in Chelsea. She attended local schools and graduated from Chelsea High School, Class of 1947.
She was the beloved wife of John A. Tkaczuk of Peabody, with whom she shared 71 years of marriage. Together they raised their family in Chelsea until moving to Peabody, which is where they have resided for the last 17 years.
Irene dedicated 23 years as a clerk supervisor at the former Chelsea Memorial Hospital which later became the MGH. Overseeing the billing and accounts receivable, she retired in 1986. Irene was the President, Past President, State Officer, and Sgt. at Arms of the P.A.V. Post 13 of Chelsea. As a 70-year member, she earned her gold star membership of the Polish Falcons. Irene is a late member of the St. Stanislaus Church in Chelsea. She and her husband were involved in many of the Church’s organizations over the years. During her retirement, Irene enjoyed polka dancing with her husband and spending time at their winter residence in Port St. Lucie, Florida. She will be greatly missed by all of her family.
The devoted mother of Frances Tkaczuk of Mashpee, Paula Kordis and her husband Ted of Peabody and the late Frederick “Fred” Tkaczuk, she was the dear sister of Wanda Carroccino of Lynn, sister-in-law of the late Joseph Carroccino and is also survived by three grandchildren: Matthew, John Andrew, and Christopher Kordis, all of Swampscott.
Relatives and friends are most kindly invited to attend her funeral and family visitation at the Frank A. Welsh & Sons Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea on Friday, Oct. 19 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. immediately followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Stanislaus Church, 163 Chestnut St., Chelsea at 10 a.m. Services will conclude with Interment at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. The Funeral Home is fully handicap accessible, ample parking opposite Funeral Home.
Should friends desire, contributions in Irene’s memory may be made to Care Dimensions 75 Sylvan St., B-102 Danvers, MA 01923 and/or Catholic TV P.O. Box 9196 Watertown, MA 02471. For directions or to send expressions of sympathy, please visit www.WelshFuneralHome.com