Marlene Mary Manca

Our beloved matriarch Marlene M. (Nosek) Manca, cherished mother, Nana, great grandmother, and true friend, passed away suddenly on July 28, 2024, at her home. Born in Winchendon, MA, on July 25, 1932, daughter to the late Adolph Nosek and the late Elizabeth (Smith-Nosek) Shields, and lived in Templeton most of her married life. She married her beloved husband Anthony (Tony) J. Manca on June 17, 1950, and together shared 64 years of marriage.

Marlene was a homemaker raising 5 children and occasionally supplementing the family income with Artex, Dutchmaid, and Fullerbrush home parties. She lived a life dedicated to her family, relatives, and friends which spanned many states including Maine, Florida, California, and Alaska. 

Marlene could strike up a conversation with anyone and when you were through, you felt like you've known each other for years. She had a special way of making each person in her life feel special. If you were a friend of her children, you immediately became adopted into the family. She always found the good in others even if it was hard to find because "Everyone has a bit of good in them." She was truly a mom to all. If you were lucky you were the recipient of one of her letters ( she could squeeze SO MUCH into one card with her tiny handwriting) or a delivery of her famous pineapple squares for whatever occasion was calling for them. She was generous with her time, her advice (wanted or not) and she never minced words so you always knew where you stood.

She was a member of Holy Cross Church, the Rosary Sodality, and the infamous Red Hats. She loved to sew, do crafts, read, make puzzles, and play bingo on Thursday night with her bingo friends. But her very favorite pastime was dining out and she could critique a meal better than any food critic.

Christmas was her favorite time of year full of family traditions. Always singing Happy Birthday to baby Jesus with the youngest grandchild/great-grandchild getting the privilege to blow out the birthday candle and place the cupcake by the manger and placing baby Jesus inside. The morning ritual of making gnocchis for dinner and Santa showing up for the young children. Her smile on any Christmas Eve was priceless! Her truest affection was her family. Her home had all the kid magnets, a pool, a basketball hoop, a pool table, and a foosball table to keep the grandchildren and great-grandchildren coming around. But it was truly her kind, compassionate nature that kept them coming back to the affections of Nana.

She was selfless and shared her love of Jesus Christ with the family, allowing us an opportunity to name another Saint. 

Marlene will be greatly missed by her 5 children Michael A. Manca of Phillipston, David C. Manca of East Templeton, Gena M. Hentnik of Gardner, John A. Manca of Baldwinville, and Antonette M. Gauvin of Templeton; loving Mother-in-law to Nancy Manca, Pat Manca, John Hentnik, Catherine Manca and Dan Gauvin; 12 grandchildren Brandi M. Manca, Anthony P. Manca, John E. Manca, Rebecca A. Mexico, Lindsey M. Smith, Peter A. Manca, Rose E. Guitare, Marcy L. Manca, Edward J. Hentnik, Alex A. Hentnik, Jayson M. Gauvin and Jesse D. Gauvin; 17 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Marlene was predeceased by her husband Anthony, her sister Kay Cosentino, Charlotte Smart, and Sandy Bourbeau, and 2 brothers Billy Nosek and Adolph Nosek. 

Relatives and Friends are planning to celebrate Marlene's life by gathering for visiting hours in the Mack Family Funeral Home, 105 Central St. Gardner on Sunday, August 4, 2024, from 2-6 pm. 

Her funeral mass will be held Monday, August 5, 2024, at 10:00 AM in Holy Cross Church, 25 Lake Ave., East Templeton. You are kindly asked to please meet at the church the morning of the Mass. Burial will follow at St. John's Cemetery, Gardner. 

Should friends desire, donations in Marlene's memory may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (or at www.stjude.org), or the Shriners Hospitals for Children, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114 (or at www.shrinerschildrens.org), or to Holy Cross Church, 25 Lake Ave. Templeton, MA 01468, or to a charity of one's choice.

To send an online condolence, please visit Marlene's obituary at www.mackfamilyfh.com.

Mack Family Funeral Home, 105 Central St., Gardner is directing arrangements.

Kevin J. Mack, Walter C. Taylor, Melissa A. McQuaid Funeral Directors.