Jean L. (Steele) Podell, 78, of Walnut Street, died Monday, November 3, 2008, at St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester, after a short illness. She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Arthur J. Podell of Oxford; a son, David A. Podell and his wife Rhonda of Webster; a daughter, Linda J. Osienski and her husband Steven of Bennington, NH; two sisters, Jean L. Weeks of Oxford and Janet G. DeAndrea of Morganville, NJ; five grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and five nephews and nieces. She was born in Worcester, the daughter of the late Ralph E. and Jean L. (Lemmon) Steele, and lived in Worcester before moving to Oxford 50 years ago. She graduated from South High School in Worcester in 1948, and celebrated her 50th anniversary with her husband last July.

   Mrs. Podell was a teacher's aide at the Chaffee School in Oxford for 30 years, retiring in 1996. Previously, she worked at Wyman-Gordon Company in Worcester. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Worcester and enjoyed singing in the church choir. Mrs. Podell was a member of the Friends of the Oxford Public Library, enjoyed flower gardening and fishing, and played the violin with local orchestras many years ago.

   A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, November 7, 2008, at Paradis Funeral Home, 357 Main St., Oxford. Burial will follow at Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. Calling hours are Thursday, November 6, 2008, from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Red Cross, PO Box 4002018, Des Moines, IA 50340-2018.