Elizabeth R. Oja

Elizabeth R. Oja, 87, resident of Mason, NH died peacefully surrounded by her family on November 16, 2012 at The Elms Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Milford, NH. She was born in Boston, MA on November 21, 1924, a daughter of the late Clarence H. and Ida M. (Silva) Smith. Elizabeth moved to NH to live with her youngest daughter, Ellen Miller-Grant, in 2000 and had been a resident at the Elms since 2010. Elizabeth enjoyed spending time with family and loved ones. She loved being a part of her grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s lives and was kept up to date with their many activities. She also took a great interest in her care givers’ families and enjoyed their visits, stories and pictures. She was an avid reader, preferring non-fiction and mystery novels. She was an accomplished crocheter, a craft she practiced for 50+ years. She loved to travel and did so especially in her later years in a motor home with her daughter Ellen, son-in-law, Neal, and their two dogs. Elizabeth traveled across the country and to Canada several times and she also traveled extensively in New England. She was an animal lover and often helped her daughter Ellen with dog rescue work by doing such things as spending time with foster dogs, making mid-day cookie and peanut butter stuffed treats and crocheting items for Silent Auction events. She was predeceased by her husband, Arvo Oja and their daughter, Katherine (Oja) Silva; brothers, Robert E. Smith, Anthony P. Smith, Theodore Smith and Clarence H. Smith, Jr.; and a sister, Ida M. Smith. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude for the many acts of kindness and support from the entire staff, volunteers and friends at The Elms. Family members include her daughters, Pamela Darcy of Greensboro, NC and Ellen Miller-Grant of Mason, NH; a son, Alex Oja of Bristol, CT; seven grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren; and sisters, Cynthia Adams of Fitchburg, MA and Dot Cash of Lakeland, FL; many nieces and nephews and extended family. Visiting hours are Sunday, November 18th from 1:00-3:00 pm in the Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford. A visiting hour will be held on Monday from 9:30-10:30 am followed by a funeral service at 10:30 am in the funeral home. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery, Townsend, MA. Flowers may be sent or donations may be made to the Nashua Telegraph Santa Fund at www.nashuatelegraph.com/SantaFund