Marion "Skippy" Matilainen

WESTMINSTER- Marion "Skippy" (Skamarycz) Matilainen, 93, of Westminster, died Monday, October 15, in her home, after an illness. She was born December 27, 1924, in Gardner, daughter of the late Wincenty and Josephine (Plona) Skamarycz. She was a 1942 graduate of Gardner High School and a 1946 graduate of Heywood Hospital School of Nursing. Mrs. Matilainen received her masters degree in Special Education from Fitchburg State College. She taught in both Westminster and Fitchburg schools. She was a member of the Massachusetts Retired Teachers Association, Heywood Hospital Alumnae and the Polish American Veterans Auxiliary. Prior to teaching she was employed at Mass General Hospital and Heywood Hospital as a nurse. Marion received the RISE (Remarkable Inspiration in Special Education) Pioneer Award in May 2018, awarded by SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Committee). She lived a life of service to others. She was predeceased by her husband, Waino Matilainen who passed in 2002. She leaves three daughters, Martha Gauvin of Westminster, Anne Halliday of Rindge, NH, Jane Schulz of Westminster; two sons, Michael Matilainen of Belchertown, John Matilainen of Ashburnham; three sisters, Dorothy Gerrard of Tewksbury, MA, Suzanne Nobrega of Duxbury, MA, Ann Micara of Daytona Beach Shores, Fl; two brothers, Augustus Skamarycz of Tyngsboro; Stanley Skamarycz of Westminster and many grandchildren and great grandchildren who knew and lover her as Babcia. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, October 19, 2018 at 10 a.m. in St. Edward the Confessor Church 10 Church St., Westminster. Burial will follow in Crystal Lake Cemetery, Gardner. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, October, 18, 2018 from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Mack Family Funeral Home 105 Central St., Gardner. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be made in her memory to the Ashburnham-Westminster Regional School District - (Please reference SEPAC), 11 Oakmont Drive, Ashburnham, MA 01430. To send an online condolence please visit www.mackfamilyfh.com. Mack Family Funeral Homes - Lamoureux-Smith & Poliks Chapel, 105 Central St., Gardner is directing arrangements.