M. Frances Girouard

GARDNER - M. Frances (McCarthy) Girouard, 91, of Gardner, died Tuesday, June 29, 2010 in the Baldwinville Nursing Home. She was born in Gardner on December 10, 1918, the daughter of Arthur and Annie (Brogan) McCarthy. Frances was a lifelong resident of Gardner. She attended Sacred Heart School and graduated from Gardner High School with the class of 1936. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education from Fitchburg State College in 1940, and earned her Master's Degree in 1950. Frances later studied Gerontology at UMASS College from 1989 to 1990 and took several courses at Mount Wachusett Community College to further her education. She worked as a teacher in Gardner and Templeton school systems for many years until her retirement in 1981. She also worked for the Fitchburg Art Museum several years ago and volunteered for Catholic Charities. Frances was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church in Gardner and a Past President of the Holy Family League of Charities. She was Legislator for the Gardner Golden Age Club and a member of AARP, and the Massachusetts Retired Teachers Association. She leaves a daughter, Margaret A. McCarthy of Brockton; a sister, Margaret L. Young of Athol; a granddaughter, Judith Weismann of Los Angeles, CA; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her son, Thomas W. Girouard, on February 21, 2010; and by one brother, Eugene T. McCarthy, in 1995. A Memorial Mass will be held Friday, July 9, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. in the Sacred Heart Church, 166 Cross St., Gardner. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery, Gardner. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made in her memory to Saint Vincent De Paul Society, c/o Sacred Heart Church, 166 Cross St., Gardner, MA 01440, the Gardner Visiting Nursing Association, 34 Pearly Lane, Gardner, MA 01440, the Edith Chase Foundation, Milford Commons, Suite 114, 258 Main Street, Milford, MA 01757-2506, or to a charity of one's choice. $(document).ready(function(){ });