Holly (Ostromecki) Gillen

HOLLAND, MA – Holly (Ostromecki) Gillen, 49, of Holland, MA, died Saturday, November 4, 2023 at UMass Memorial, University Campus.
Holly has “Reached her destination and gone home.”
After a long illness, Holly leaves behind her husband Elias Gillen, her children, Elizabeth and Abbey St. Pierre, Aodhan, Caleb, and Kasey Gillen, a brother, Walter Ostromecki, her mother Konkordia, her grandmother Halina Michajlow, uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, and countless cousins and friends.  She was born in Worcester, daughter of Konkordia (Michajlow) Ostromecki and the late Richard Ostromecki.

A Graduate of South High and Rob Roy Academy. She established Holly Gillen Hair Company in 2016 and shared her artistry in Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York City for over thirty years. She was a Licensed Cosmetologist, and Cosmetology Instructor. 

Holly made a career out of making people feel beautiful inside and out, believing that every person is beautiful and helped them “own it.”  She taught more than hair, she taught how to find joy in the smallest things, how to smile through anything, to love generously, how to make a jar of pickles or plate of hummus feel like a grand party.  She loved sharing her home especially at the holidays, traditions and family memories she created and helped us all remember.  She loved her family and made everyone feel like family with her open heart. For so many of us she was glue, she was home.  Holly worked so very hard but made everything look so easy.  Her happy place was the beach where she brought her children for many special vacations.  As the end was near being by the ocean brought her peace.

Holly was Head Sister and Secretary of the Parish Council at her Russian Orthodox Church of the Holy Resurrection where she dedicated and volunteered countless hours to her community.   
She volunteered at the school and in local politics in Holland MA where her children went to school. 

She was always busy but always made time for all of us, making anyone who met her for a moment feel special.  Savvy, sassy, stoic, smart and sentimental we will never meet a more compassionate soul. 

Good-bye to our Mother, friend, sister and wife a lovely soul and brilliant hairdresser.   

A funeral service will be held Wednesday, November 8, 2023 at 10:00 am at the Russian Orthodox Church of the Holy Resurrection, 63 Laurel St, Worcester.  Burial will follow in Hope Cemetery, Worcester.  Calling hours are Tuesday, Nov 7 from 5:00 -7:00 pm, with prayers at 7:00 pm at Rice Funeral Home, 300 Park Ave, Worcester.  In lieu of flowers, Holly would have wanted donations made to her church, the Russian Orthodox Church of the Holy Resurrection, 63 Laurel St, Worcester, MA 01605.