Our family’s greatly beloved and revered matriarch, Julia Ann Ogonoski nee Boyle, was called home by the LORD on January 24, 2024. She was 92 years young.

A truly remarkable person, Julia was known and loved by many. Some knew her as a young and vibrant child, the third of seven born to Theresa and Joseph Boyle. Others knew her as a resilient, hard-working, and dedicated young wife and mother. Many more knew her as “Nana,” the loving – yet firm – grandmother who ran a tight ship comprised of 20 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

My earliest memories of Nana bring forth images of a long, bumpy dirt road leading to her house, the backyard thick with pine trees looming overhead, a screened-in front porch leading inside where Nana could often be found in the kitchen, her cheerful voice and warm smile welcoming you in. We remember hot cocoa and marshmallows on colder days, cookie jars happily filled or sadly empty, and countless framed pictures of family proudly displayed. Her contagious laughter, cheeky side-winks, and witty sense of humor forever ingrained in our hearts and minds. Above all else, Nana is known for loving and valuing family. She masterfully brought us all together for birthday parties, family dinners, holiday gatherings, and celebrations.

A true Irish beauty, Julia is remembered for her unwavering faith, strength, spirit, and kindness. She took great pride in her work, whether that was milking the cows and growing a beautiful garden on the Connecticut farm, keeping a pristinely clean and tidy house, providing compassionate care as a CNA, or graciously hosting others in her home. She would say that every night before she went to bed, she felt a wonderful feeling of peace, joy, and satisfaction from the work she did. Julia lived a long, happy, and beautiful life in which she blessed us all for having known and loved her.

She is predeceased by her loving husband of 71 years: Arthur Leon Ogonoski; her parents: Joseph and Theresa Boyle; her siblings: Teresa Marie Aulis, James (Jim) Boyle, Regina (Jean) Beale, and Sarah (Sally) DellDonna; and, her sons: Stanley (Stash) and Joseph Ogonoski, Sr.

Julia is survived by her children: Arthur Ogonoski, Diane McLaughlin, Steven Ogonoski, Susan Smith, John Ogonoski, and Robert Ogonoski; siblings: Mary (Kay) Boyle and Debbie Boyle Green; 20 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and, 3 great-great grandchildren.