Oleda T. (Wood) Dady, the beloved matriarch of a large and devoted family whom she guided with love, positivity and a quick wit, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Saturday, June 20, 2026. She was 99.

Born on March 4, 1927, Oleda was one of nine children of the late John J. Wood and Mary K. (Dwyer) Wood. She was raised in Malden and graduated from Cheverus High School in 1949. At the young age of 22, she married Charles E. Dady at Sacred Hearts Church in Malden and together they settled in Reading to build a life centered on raising her 9 children.

A woman of deep faith, Oleda was a longtime parishioner of St. Agnes Church in Reading and later St. Patrick's Church in Stoneham. Her faith was reflected in the way she lived her life with kindness and compassion, leaving a positive impression on everyone she met.

Family was always Oleda's first priority. She raised nine children with an easygoing nature, a strong sense of purpose, and a quick wit that could lighten any situation. No matter what life brought her way, she seemed to meet it with common sense, good humor, and a determination to keep moving forward. Her home was a place of warmth, laughter, and unconditional support, and she had a remarkable ability to make each member of her family feel loved and valued.

Nothing made Oleda happier than having her family together. She loved hosting holidays, celebrations, and everyday gatherings that filled her home with conversation and laughter. Among her favorite traditions was the annual two-week family vacation to Hyannis with all nine children. In addition to this, she loved her Bailey Island escapes with her 5 daughters, but it was the daily meals, laughs and shared “coffee talk” with her sons that rounded out her love of her family. This is the foundation that led to devoted care by all her children, so willfully given in the final three years of her life.

Beyond her devotion to family, Oleda enjoyed traveling, especially to Ireland, gardening, singing, reading, and historical sites. She also took great pride in creating a welcoming home, especially when hosting and entertaining her large family.

Oleda will be remembered for her warmth, humor, resilience, and unwavering devotion to her family. The values she instilled, the traditions she established, and the love she shared so freely will continue in the hearts and minds of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren.

Oleda was the beloved wife of the late Charles E. Dady with whom she shared 63 years of marriage. Devoted mother of Diane Dady-Goldstein and her husband Allan of N. Andover, John Dady and his wife Ginny of Merritt Island, FL, Maryanne Taylor and her husband Peter of Derry, NH, Charles E. Dady and his wife Yvonne of Peabody, Theresa O. Dady-Cox and her husband Kitt of Gloucester, Kevin W. Dady of Reading, Paul Dady of Reading, Michele Ukraine and her husband John of Rockport, and Kristen Dady Faber and her husband Jim of Reading. Dear sister of Edwin Wood and his wife Carol of Malden, Frances Mitchell and her late husband Joseph of Merrimack, NH, and the late John Wood and his late wife Freda, the late Irene Wood, the late Nelson Wood and his late wife Barbara, the late Bernard Wood and his late wife Mary, the late Vincent Wood and his late wife Pauline, and the late Raymond Wood and his late wife Virginia. Cherished grandmother of Noah Goldstein and wife Lyndsey, Nadia Davis and husband John, Shawn Dady and wife Erin, Alisha Feddeson and husband Chris, Michael Taylor and wife Joanne, Natalie Taylor and her partner Al, Rebekah Swirka, Jessica Armitstead and husband Derek, Christine Swirka, Ryan Cox and wife Tracy, Bradley Atkinson and wife Katerina, Myles Cox and wife Cammy, Michaela Fanelli and husband Colin, Quinn Murdock, Benan Murdock, Sophia Sinagra, Madelyn Sinagra, Luke Sinagra, Carly Faber, and Lauren Faber, and the late Naomi Goldstein.  Proud great-grandmother of Riley, Lillian, Mason, Jonah, Pacey, Noah, Isaih, Coursin, Hannah Joy, Alexis, Joshua, Kylie, Michael, Kaleb, Nevaeh, Nolan, Demali, Delilah, Elle, Abigail, Ivy, Owen, Eli, Josephine, Althea, Aristotles, and Maria.  

Relatives and friends are invited to gather in honor of Oleda’s life during Visiting Hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Monday, June 29 from 3-7pm, and again on Tuesday, June 30 at 8:45am before leaving in procession to St. Patrick’s Church, 71 Central St., Stoneham, for her Funeral Mass celebrated at 10am.