April A. Dahrooge, 59, of Worcester, died Monday, April 25, 2011 after being stricken ill at home.

She leaves her son, Aaron Dahrooge and his fiancé Julianne Hertel of Worcester; a sister, Barbara Staras and her husband Tony, of Georgia; her grandson, Sims Dahrooge of Worcester; beloved nieces: Monica Schnitzer, Rachel Staras Lesser, and a nephew, Matthew Staras and a foster child, Jerel Revell of Worcester.

April, daughter of the late Phillip E. and Elizabeth (Saliba) Dahrooge, was born in Worcester on April 25, 1952. She was a graduate of Burncoat High School and has lived in Worcester all her life. She worked in the Medical Billing & Coding department of UMASS Medical Hospital for over 30 years. April’s focus in life was her family and love of animals and her commitment to local Humane Societies. April loved children and was very active in local youth hockey programs. She taught Sunday school at Saint George Orthodox Catherdral, cooking classes for Worcester night life and also taught several programs related to her profession at the Salters School in Worcester. April will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, friend and neighbor. She will be sadly missed by many.

The funeral for April will be held Friday, April 29th form MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester, with a funeral service at 11 A.M. in St. George Orthodox Cathedral, 30 Anna Street, Worcester. Burial will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. Calling hours will be held Thursday, April 28th from 5 P.M. until 8 P.M. in the funeral home. Those who wish to remember April by way of a memorial tribute are kindly asked to consider Broken Tail Rescue Inc., PO Box 295, Worcester, MA 01617.