Evelyn Grenier

NORTHBOROUGH—Evelyn Marie (Bracci) Grenier, passed away peacefully on March 23, 2026, in her home with family by her side. She was the loving wife of the late Otis J. Grenier who predeceased her in 2011, having shared 60 years of marriage.

Evelyn, a centenarian, was born and raised in Worcester, the daughter of Gilbert and Helen (Frediani) Bracci. She grew up loving opera and sang on local radio as a teenager. Evelyn had a beautiful voice and continued to enjoy live music, and dancing with Otis (they even had a diploma in Square Dancing), Broadway theater performances, and the cinema throughout her long life. Evelyn had a keen eye for fashion and was always stylishly dressed.

Otis and Evelyn moved to Northborough in 1957, where they raised their family, and maintained the same beautiful home until passing. Evelyn was a most loving and nurturing mother and grandmother taking great pride in her children and grandchildren. Although she claimed not to enjoy cooking, she cooked large amounts of delicious food for the many family gatherings. Her call to dinner was “mangia, mangia!” She generously loved sharing her cooked goods with friends. When her children were older Evelyn worked for several years in the manufacturing industry but found her greatest joy in being a homemaker. Her motherly love was extended to the family’s many four-legged companions.

Otis and Evelyn had a wooden sailboat and sailed around Cape Cod and the Islands with family and friends. They took vacations to Florida, Cape Cod, Hawaii, Chicago, California, Texas and Italy where they had an audience with the Pope. When Evelyn retired at the age of 70 Otis and Evelyn became winter Texans and owned a home in a senior park in the Rio Grande Valley. They enjoyed making new friends there and participated in the activities the community offered. They went over the border to Mexico and visited family in Austin frequently where they also had friends. During this time they cruised to Bermuda and the Caribbean.

Evelyn was dearly loved and will be sorely missed by her family. She lived a simple life but had a bright spirit and remained young at heart and spontaneous. She proudly maintained her driver’s license until the age of 95. Her witty sense of humor and spunk will be missed by all who knew her.

The family would like to sincerely thank all the caregivers and aides who helped care for Evelyn.

Evelyn leaves behind her five children, John Grenier (Suzanne), Christopher Grenier, Dreanne Grenier (David Massie), Deirdre Grenier (Tom Berardi), and Renee Gersh (Stephen); and her beloved grandchildren, Walker Massie, Johnny and Ross Grenier, and Aaron and Samuel Gersh. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and sister, Elvia D. Bracci.

There will be a private family service at St. John’s Cemetery in Worcester. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

If you would like to honor Evelyn’s memory and love for the arts, please consider a donation to WICN, in Worcester, NPR, or WGBH.

Assisting with arrangements is Kelly Cremation and Funeral Care in Worcester. To leave a message or share a memory with her family please visit www.kellycremation.com