Leona Berry

Leona Berry, 104

Sturbridge - Leona (Brunell) Berry, 104, died peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, Nov. 27th.

She leaves two sons, Donald Berry and his wife, Donna, of Houston, Texas, and William Berry and his wife, Mary, of Sturbridge; her daughter, Doris Sosik, with whom she lived; her brother Norman Brunell of Sturbridge; 12 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Chester A. Berry, who died in 1991. She was also predeceased by her son, Richard Berry, a granddaughter, Leah Gaboury, four brothers, six sisters, and her son-in-law, Michael Sosik.

Leona was born in Southbridge on Nov. 21, 1912, the daughter of Louis and Roseanna (Rochon) Brunell. She was proud to be the oldest resident of Sturbridge for six years and loved to show off the plaque and the miniature version of the Boston Post Cane presented to her by the town.

She told wonderful stories to her children and grandchildren about her early days in Southbridge. She often recalled her sadness when at age 14, like most children of that time, she had to leave school to help support her family by working in the mills. As a girl of 15, she advocated for and won the right for women to wear pants at the textile mill where she worked. Seeing women in pants was so unusual that she was photographed in her overalls for the town newspaper.

Many will remember Leona from her decades bagging apples and serving people with a smile at Hyland's Orchard. She and her husband, Chet, raised all the vegetables for their family and she canned hundreds of quarts every summer. She was an apple pie maker extraordinaire and was never happier than when her friends and family were enjoying her baking. She loved to read but was almost always busy cooking, sewing, crocheting, and quilting.

Everyone who knew her was touched by her sweet and generous nature. She will be deeply missed by her family.

Her funeral will be held on Friday, Dec. 2nd, at 11:00am in the Daniel T. Morrill Funeral Home, 130 Hamilton St., Southbridge. Burial will be in St. Anne's Cemetery, Fiskdale. A calling hour in the funeral home will be held on Friday, Dec. 2nd. from 10:00 to 11:00am before the service.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Leona's memory to Overlook Hospice Care, 88 Masonic Home Road, Charlton, MA 01507.

www.morrillfuneralhome.com