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Cover photo for Astrid Ruth Oosterman's Obituary

Astrid Ruth Oosterman

July 11, 1936 — June 7, 2011

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Memorial Service

First Congregational Church

Monday, July 11, 2011

Starts at 10:00 am

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Astrid Ruth Oosterman

Mrs. Astrid Ruth (Erickson) Oosterman, 74, died peacefully at the Good Samaritan Hospice-Marley House in Prescott, AZ on Tuesday, June 7, 2011.She lived with her breast cancer for five years with grace and adventure.She said that cancer was her teacher.

Originally from Melrose, MA; the daughter of the late Ruth (Oram) and Ernest Waldemar "Ducky" Erickson; Astrid was married for 46 years to the late Troy Paul Oosterman, originally of Whitinsville, MA. Together they were the proprietors of Oosterman's Rest Homes in Melrose and Wakefield, MA, a family business begun by Troy's parents, now owned and operated by their youngest son, Robert and his wife Cheryl. In the 1970's Astrid went to UMass-Boston where she earned a BA in History. She worked at the law firm of Harrison & McGuire in Boston, and then at Educators for Social Responsibility in Cambridge. When Astrid and Troy retired in 1994, they moved from Melrose, MA to Prescott, AZ. There she developed her talent as a naturally gifted painter and was an art docent in the Prescott school system. Astrid loved gardening, traveling, kayaking, and was an enthusiastic Red Sox fan and a life-long, liberal Democrat.

Astrid is survived by her three sons and their wives: Paul and Dana of New Ipswich, NH; James and Lisa of Melrose, MA; and Robert and Cheryl of Melrose, MA; five grandchildren: Mark of Sandy, Oregon; Ryan and Lindsay of New Ipswich, NH; Kate and Lauren of Melrose, MA; and her dear friend Dianne Norris of Prescott, AZ.

Astrid was a member of First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ in Melrose, MA for over 60 years. She also studied at the Garchen Buddhist Institute in Prescott, AZ for over 10 years.

A Memorial Service to celebrate Astrid's life will be held at First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, 121 W. Foster St., Melrose, on Monday, July 11th, 2011 at 10:00 AM.Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend.Gifts in Astrid's memory may be made to the First Congregational Church, Memorial Fund, 121 W. Foster St., Melrose MA 02176.

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