Agnes (Bolen) Cormier

Harbor City, CA: Agnes (Bolen) Cormier, 86, of Harbor City, California and former resident of Gardner, died at Harbor UCLA Trauma Center on Wednesday, June 9, 2010 from injuries in a fall. She was known to many as Aggie and "Butchie" which means grandma in Polish. Agnes was born in Gardner, MA on July 31, 1923 to Amelia (Cielica) and Joseph Bolen who emigrated from Poland. She was the second oldest of five children. She is survived by her children Ronald and his wife Beverly (Engel) Cormier of Carlsbad, CA and Michael Cormier of Harbor City, CA. Her grandchildren Jeffrey and his wife Shannan (Mullane) Stegman of Orlando, Fla., Richard Jason and his wife Keely (Quinn) Cormier of Boulder, CO, Tina (Cormier) and her husband Brad Knisley of Aurora, CO, Laura (Cormier) and her husband Aaron Kiehl of Corinth, TX. Her great grandchildren Hanna and Michael Stegman, Isaiah and Quinn Cormier, Ella and Cora Knisley, and Genevieve Kiehl. Agnes has three surviving sisters, Anne Bergevin of Gardner, MA, Albina and her husband Edmond Gautreau of Gardner, MA. and Florence Tebbets of Torrance, CA. She is also survived by her extended family including beloved nieces and nephews and those adopted into her heart as in-laws, children and friends too numerous to mention. She is predeceased by her brother, Felix Bolen in 1964 and her son, Richard Cormier in 2007. Agnes graduated from Gardner High School in Gardner, MA class of 1941. Her favorite class in school was sewing and as a young girl during the depression she made dresses and coats for herself and her sisters. She married Joseph "Skip" Cormier in 1943. During World War II her petite figure allowed her to be the perfect "Rosie the Riveter", as she was able to squeeze into the narrow fuselage of the P-38 planes to tighten the rivets. She was a resourceful and perserverant woman. She divorced in 1965, and was a single mom who worked full-time at Teledyne, an electronics firm who made the "Black Boxes" for airplanes. She worked there over 20 years before retiring as a Quality Control Inspector. Retirement brought new involvement with the Craft Guild of Torrance, CA, and member of the Legion of Mary crafters for her church St. Margaret Mary's. Annually she partnered with her sister Florence Tebbets in decorating floats for the Rose Bowl parade in Pasadena, CA retiring 3 years ago. She was active in her community, serving at the voting polls, adopting stray cats and finding homes for others. She remained connected to her family and friends in Gardner, returning for visits with family, her sewing circle friends and High School Reunions. Agnes fought through many diseases and difficulties. She survived a serious car accident, open heart surgery and breast cancer. She was both a courageous and gentle woman who never met a stranger. She loved unabashedly. Her laughter, love, patience, faith and strength were an inspiration and encouragement to everyone she knew. She was a hero to many and an example to us all. She was noted for always giving the strongest and greatest hugs to everyone! There will be calling hours at Poliks Funeral Home, 431 Pleasant Street, Gardner between the hours of 4:00 to 8:00 pm on Friday June 18. Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 19 with a 9:00 am Mass at St. Joseph's Church, 358 Pleasant Street, Gardner, celebrant Rev. Thomas Tokarz. Following the service, burial will be at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Gardner. For more information or to sign our online guest book please visit www.poliksfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Agnes's name to the "Susan G. Koman For The Cure" or a charity of your choice. For more information or to sign our online guest book please visit www.poliksfuneralhome.com. Poliks Funeral Home 431 Pleasant St., Gardner is directing arrangements. $(document).ready(function(){ });