Anelia "Nellie" Grucan

Gardner- Anelia "Nellie" Grucan, 90, passed away Saturday morning after a brief illness. She was born in Gardner on February 12, 1928, the daughter of the late John and Agnes (Jezulin) Kukienis, both immigrants of Lithuania. Nellie attended Gardner High School, graduating with the class of 1946. She worked as a bookkeeper for Mount Wachusett Community College for many years, retiring in 1986. After her retirement she had the great joy of helping to raise her beloved grandchildren. Nellie's family was always first and foremost. She treasured her lifelong friends as well. And she always loved to share her family history, Lithuanian heritage and Catholic faith. Nellie had an agile, inquisitive mind. In childhood she discovered the wonders of the public library and read avidly her whole life. She was a member of the Friends of the Levi Heywood Memorial Library. She took many classes at Mount Wachusett Community College. She loved plays at the Mount, movies, museums, and gardens, especially Tower Hill Botanic Garden in West Boylston. She hosted many boisterous family parties and enjoyed singing, games and puzzles. She was skilled at sewing, knitting, and crochet. She was a very good cook and made the best apple pie. She leaves her husband, Stanley, with whom she celebrated 66 years of marriage this past May 17th. Nellie also leaves her five children, a son Michael and his wife, Amy. Her four daughters, Sally Grucan and her husband Joseph Rouse; Mary Buffone and her husband Mike; Nancy Butterfield, and Kathleen Suchocki and her husband David. She leaves seven grandchildren, Brian and Martin Rouse; Julie Snyder and her husband Chad; Eric and Ian Butterfield; and Michael and Jessica Suchocki. Nellie leaves one great grandson, Asher Snyder. Nellie leaves several nieces and nephews, including a special niece, Kathleen Panagiotes, whom she loved like a fifth daughter. She was predeceased by her three sisters, Veronica Hallock, Amelia Dickie, and Antoinette Dumanoski, and one brother, Joseph Arman. She is also predeceased by her son in law, James Butterfield. A mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, September 7th at 11:00 am at Holy Spirit Church, 50 Lovewell St., Gardner. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery, Gardner. A calling hour will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 am at The Mack Family Funeral Home, Lamoureax, Smith & Poliks Chapel, 105 Central Street, Gardner. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Gardner Animal Shelter, 899 West Broadway, Gardner, MA 01440 in Nellie's name. The family would like to thank the staff of the Baldwinville Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center for its thoughtful care and support. Arrangements are under the direction of Kevin J. Mack, Mack Family Funeral Homes 105 Central St. Gardner, MA.