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. She graduated from Sergeant College, Boston in 1931, attended the University of Wisconsin Medical School for Physical Therapy in 1943 and served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps for the duration of WWII and through the end of 1946. Irja went on to receive a master's degree from Clark University and taught physical education 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.