Worcester—Irja Rachel (Ryssy) Hofschire, 96, died Sunday, November 11, 2007. Her husband, John Hofschire, died in 1973. She leaves a son, Charles E. Hofschire of Worcester and his significant other, Sheila Rader, a niece, Carole (Petterson) Lundquist and her husband Donald of MN, a nephew Pete Petterson and his wife Shirley of Sterling, and several grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews. She was predeceased by her daughter Jane Davis, granddaughter Geneva Davis, brother RADM J.W. Ryssy, and sister Dagmar Petterson.
Irja was born in Worcester, daughter of Matti G. and Anna (Kivisto) Ryssy. Irja graduated from Sergeant College, Boston in 1931 and was a physical educational teacher in the Baltimore, MD public schools for 12 years. She was the girl’s summer camp director, 7 years, for the Maryland League of physically handicapped children, at Camp Green Top, MD founded by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. She attended the University of Wisconsin Medical School for Physical Therapy in 1943 and then served as a physical therapist in the U.S. Army Medical Corps for the duration of World War II, and through the end of 1946. 1LT Irja Ryssy treated many severely wounded American service men and German prisoners of war. She treated General Dwight D. Eisenhower for a severe case of pneumonia and exhaustion during the European liberation campaign and General Jonathan Wainwright following his release from 3½ years as a Japanese prisoner of war. 1LT Ryssy married SSGT John Hofschire, U.S. Army Airborne Infantry in Fort Benning, GA, resigned her commission, and returned to Worcester in December 1946. She continued on as a physical therapist in civilian life and treated many young people afflicted with polio in Worcester County from 1947 and throughout the 1950’s. She received a master’s degree from Clark University and returned to physical education teaching at Burncoat Sr. High School, retiring in 1983. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, a charter member of the Women in Military Service of America, a life member of the American Physical Therapy Assn., and a member of the Mass. Retired Teachers Assn.
A private graveside funeral service was held in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the UMass Memorial Foundation Hospice Care, PO Box 2795, Worcester MA 01613-9938. Nordgren Memorial Chapel, 300 Lincoln Street, Worcester directed arrangements. For on-line condolences, please click on link below.