Chana Rivka Bogsted

Chana Rivka Bogsted/ Janet Tod Sauer (1946-2025)

Chana Rivka Bogsted, 78, of Brockton MA, left the Earth at Oakdale Nursing Center in West Boylston MA on September 20th 2025, following a prolonged illness. She leaves behind a brother, Robert Sauer, of Princeton, MA; her daughter, Jen DeSatnick of Brockton, MA; and her grandchildren, Brett, Shayne and Zachary. She is also survived by her niece, Rachel Sun, of Chicago, IL.

Chana was born in Evanston IL in 1946 to Helen J Bowerhan and William E Sauer. She lost her mother at the young age of 10 which influenced many of her life choices. One of her fondest childhood memories was watching her mom sew and paint. She also remembered with great joy the family trips to Butternut Lake in Northern Wisconsin. Chana attended Arlington High School in Illinois before studying at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and, years later, completing her Master’s Degree in Social Work at Boston University. Chana converted to Judaism at a young age and took great pride in being part of that heritage.

Following her undergraduate studies, Chana was a flight Attendant for TWA Airlines until the birth of her daughter, Jenny, in 1971. She moved to Israel in 1976 and married Eliyahu Shemaya in 1977. In 1988, Chana and Jenny moved back to the United States to be closer to her brother, Bob’s family. Following her Master’s Degree in Social Work at BU, she began her career as a hospice social worker, supporting patients and their families; this path became part of her heart and soul. In 2002, Chana remarried to Roger Bogsted.

Chana was a force of nature with a heart of gold, which led her to take up many causes and pursue numerous hobbies. She passionately pursued causes and used her voice to stand up for justice. In the late 1960s, she engaged in civil rights work in Mississippi, and she supported charitable organizations for underprivileged groups throughout the world. Some of the hobbies in her life included: high school Drama, cat breeding, quilting, wool spinning, weaving, and painting. In her later years, Chana greatly enjoyed playing games with her family and the company of her cats.­­

A service to celebrate Chana’s life will take place on November 8, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Fay Brothers Funeral Home in West Boylston. In lieu of flowers, Chana’s family respectfully requests that donations be made to Friends of Animals www.friendsofanimals.org.