Ursel Curry

OBITUARY – URSEL CURRY 

The heavenly party began for Cissy on Monday, March 1st, 2021 at her home on Almont Street, where she answered the calls of her husband Willie (Bill) Curry, siblings; Beatrice “Beazie” C. Brunson, Anne E. Westbrooks, Robert E. Wells, Curtis D. Wells, and her parents. In the past, "Where's Cissy?" was their common refrain when they wanted to start the party, and she would always be the last to arrive. True to form, she was the last to join them in heaven. The party starts now.   

Ursel May Wells was born on May 9th, 1935 at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston MA, to George A. Wells and Ursel L. Wells.  As the fourth of five children and the baby sister (Cissy), she was a self-proclaimed daddy's girl.  

She attended Roxbury Memorial High School (Girls’) and graduated in 1953.  While in high school, she was employed at Beth Israel Hospital. Cissy always had a job, and after graduating at the age of 18 she moved in with her older sister Beazie. She loved her freedom and “couldn’t wait to get out of [her] mother’s house.” Fun loving in nature, she played as hard as she worked.   

A brief first marriage in 1958 resulted in two of her three children: Carlene Denise and Gregory William. She would become a single mother, but not for long. While visiting her best friends, Gene and Rae Wells, she caught the eye of a friend of theirs. Willie “Sarge” Curry had his work cut out for him, as it took much wining and dining to earn her hand in marriage. This union produced a third child, Coretta Louise, and lasted 42 years, until death did they part.    

Once her children were older, Ursel began volunteering as a lunch mother at Bates Elementary School in 1977. She soon gained permanent employment in the Boston Public Schools Food Service Department. She later earned a certificate in food management and managed the cafeterias of Madison Park High School in Roxbury, Hernandez Middle School in Jamaica Plain, and Lewenberg Middle School in Mattapan. She retired from the Boston Public Schools in 2002 after more than 25 years of service.    

Ursel enjoyed gardening and loved her plants. You had better not stepped on her hostas, and "watch out for [her] begonias!" She had a way with babies, and throughout her life she cared for the children of many friends and relatives. Her home was often filled with children, and she helped to raise nieces, nephews, and grandchildren because "that's what family does." A member of Charles Street AME Church, Childer's Woman's Missionary, she had a heart of gold and never turned away a soul in need. If she could help she would, and if she couldn't she would tell you. She believed that everyone deserved to be heard, and was always willing to listen.  

Ursel loved to laugh and entertain. She hosted many celebrations, and family and friends regularly gathered at her home due to her warmth and generosity. She loved her family, and this love extended to the community of people whose hearts she touched.    

She is survived by her children: Carlene D. Curry, Gregory W. Curry (Anne-Katharina), and Coretta L. Curry; grandchildren: Mercedes Roberson, Carolyn Curry, Mitchell Curry, Kathleen Curry, and Julian Curry; nieces and nephews: Pamela Westbrooks, Linda Wright, Robert Westbrooks, Kimberly Brunson, Kyle Wells (Carla), Kara Wells, Kristyn Wells, Milton Irving