HOLYOKE
Marita Kathleen Oldroyd, DHM, entered the peaceful kingdom of God on Saturday, June 20th, at the Marian Center, home of her religious congregation, the Daughters of the Heart of Mary. She served God’s purpose for sixty-seven years. The Daughter of John and Kathleen (Gorman) Oldroyd, Marita was born and raised in Roxbury, MA, graduating High School then working for the telephone company. Upon her mother’s death, Marita responded to the call she long held dear. She met the Daughters of the Heart of Mary, her hopes fulfilled. Her first assignment was a newly established mission in Plattsburgh, NY, a day nursery for 3 and 4 year old children. A friend wrote of Marita: “You didn’t teach, you didn’t preach. You simply brought Jesus close to each little one He entrusted to your care. Their hearts to fill with love for Him, because you did His will.” Such was Marita’s influence in each mission to which she was called. She served for eight years in Plattsburgh and was then called to St. Joseph’s School for the Deaf, Bronx, NY, to assume the responsibility of chief accountant. She served meticulously in this position for nearly 40 years. Marita moved to Holyoke, MA, in November 2015, taking residence at the Marian Center. She maintained the pleasant demeanor she was well noted for by her family, friends and sisters in religious life, even as her health declined. In addition to her parents, Marita was pre-deceased by her sister Joan Oldroyd of Bronx, NY; her brothers Anthony Oldroyd of Dedham, MA; John Oldroyd of Berlin, NH; and Henry Oldroyd of Brighton, MA. She is survived by her sister-in-law Dorothy Oldroyd of Sudbury, MA; beloved and devoted niece and her husband, Susan and Robert Vecchione of Chelmsford, MA; along with many other nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews; also by her devoted friend Liz Russo of the Bronx, NY; Karen Cronin of Woburn, MA; and her loving sisters, the Daughters of the Heart of Mary. Marita will be laid to rest with her beloved sister, Joan, at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, NY, on Friday, June 26th, at 11:30 a.m. under the direction of Barry Farrell Funeral Home, Holyoke.
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