Jessica A. Ogarek

Jessica A. Ogarek 36, recently of East Providence and formerly of Providence, RI, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on October 20, 2021. She was the beloved wife of Daniel Burbank for nine years. Jessica was born in Warwick, RI. She was the daughter of the late Frank J. Ogarek and her mother and stepfather, Deborah and Chris Joyner of Winston-Salem, NC and the granddaughter of Mickey and Eileen Paquin of Winston-Salem, NC and the late Frank Z. and Sophie Ogarek of Providence, RI. Jessica was the daughter-in-law of Andrew Burbank and the late Susan Burbank of Sandwich, MA. Jessica had a special bond with her sisters and their families and will be remembered with love by Stephanie (Ogarek) Thomas of Rural Hall, NC, Becky (Ogarek) and her husband Christopher Mulvaney of West Warwick, RI and Melissa Ogarek and her husband Joel Thomas of Rural Hall, NC. Sister-in-law Samantha Burbank and her husband Chris Tenters of Marston-Mills, MA. Her nieces and nephews held a joyous place in Jessica’s heart and will be missed by Sophie Ogarek, Emma Thomas, Drew Tenters, Christian Thomas, Isabella Thomas, Ryan Mulvaney and Addison Mulvaney. Jessica was also survived by her aunts and uncles, Paul Reid of California, James Reid of Florida and Irene Ogarek and George Ogarek of Rhode Island. Jessica and her husband Dan shared a joy of domestic and international travel, hiking in national parks in America and around the world. After honeymooning in Ireland, they returned many times to visit their favorite city of Galway and hike in the country’s national parks. Jessica was also an accomplished woman with a passion for STEM studies when others would shy away. She studied biostatistics receiving her undergraduate degree from Simmons College and master’s degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and was most recently employed at Brown University in that field. A memorable saying goes, “ What lies behind us and what lies before us are small compared to what lives within us.” Jessica lived her life with courage, laughter and enthusiasm and was a source of inspiration for all who knew her but especially for her husband Dan. She will be missed by family and friends and by her faithful cats Gus and Watson. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Name Church, 99 Camp Street, Providence, RI on Monday, October 25, 2021 at 11AM. Calling hours will be held on Sunday from 5-8 PM in the PERRY-McSTAY FUNERAL HOME, 2555 Pawtucket Avenue, East Providence. For those not vaccinated, we request that you wear a mask. To honor Jessica and help those battling cancer, please consider making a gift to the Lifespan Cancer Institute, Development Office, PO Box H, Providence, RI 02901 or online at https://www.lifespan.org/giving-lifespan-cancer-institute.