Patricia Jane (Austin) Lassell, 70, of Peabody, Mass, passed peacefully at the Kaplan House in Danvers late Sunday, August 23, 2009, following a short bout with lung cancer.
Born June 6, 1939 in Malden, Mass. to the late Edward and Grace (Pride) Austin, Patricia grew up in Melrose, and later married and moved to Saugus, where she raised a family. She had been living in Peabody, Mass. for the last 25 years. Patricia initially attended Bridgewater State College, but instead finished up at a secretarial school in Boston. She held small jobs throughout her years, but mainly sacrificed as a mother and homemaker in mid-life.
Patricia was always outgoing and adventurous, enjoying spending time with her family and friends, as well as meeting new folks. In her later years, Pat loved following the Boston Red Sox, meticulously keeping box scores for a time to help her focus. Kind and witty, humor was her medium and she would often share jokes. She also looked for new puzzles to do.
Patricia was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Medford for many years, where, despite being disabled, she served in any capacity she could, largely providing support and encouragement to her friends and aging members – always considering that others were in worse shape than she was. Pat struggled with a multitude of illnesses throughout the years, ultimately leaving her homebound. Having confessed her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, she believed fervently in the power of prayer to relieve her pain, even as her trust lay securely in the shed blood of her Savior in regard to her hope of Heaven.
She is survived by a son, Gary Lassell (and his wife Bonnie) of Wakefield, Mass., son Greg Lassell (and his wife Denise, and her son, Kurt) of Revere, Mass., and a daughter Gail Lassell of Manchester, N.H, her sister Nancy (Austin) Cameron of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, and nephew Kenneth (and his wife Lom and their children) of Barrie, Ontario. Pat was also sister to the late Stanley Austin.
A time of visitation will be held at the First Baptist Church of Medford, Mass., 34 Oakland St., on Saturday, August 28, from 10 to 11:30 am., prior to a funeral service there at noon. A reception will follow. Burial will be at Pine Grove Cemetery, Lynn, Mass.