Matilda J. Bullock

GARDNER - Matilda J. (Bagdonas) (Pfersich) Bullock, 88, of 104 Church Street, Gardner, died Monday, March 15, 2010 at the Baldwinville Nursing Home in Baldwinville. Mrs. Bullock was born in Athol on December 29, 1921, the daughter of the late Joseph and the late Elnora (Rimsa) Bagdonas. She grew up in Athol and graduated from Athol High School with the class of 1939. As a young woman she taught English to Lithuanian immigrants in the basement of the St. Francis of Assisi Church in Athol. She met and married James W. Pfersich, her soul mate whom she had two children with: a son, James Pfersich and his wife Nancy, and a daughter, Johanna M. Sand and her husband James. Her first husband died on February 20, 1956. She raised her children alone and re-married in later years to John A. Bullock, bringing with her the family he never had. They enjoyed thirty-four years together until his death on July 3, 1998. She was employed by Trifilo's and IGA as a Meat Pricer, and volunteered often at Heywood Hospital. She was a member of the Polish American Retirement Auxiliary. She enjoyed fishing and trips to Maine beaches including Old Orchard, Moody, and catching lobsters in the Pemaquid area. She also enjoyed clamming and quahogging in Orleans, Cape Cod. She always enjoyed sewing her children's clothing and designing and hooking her own rugs. Tillie would tell a good joke but you'd better not disturb her during a Red Sox, Patriots or Celtics game on the television. She spent many Saturday afternoons in the fall at Stone's Field at Gardner High School. Tillie loved spending time with her four grandchildren. Tillie loved life and people; she always had someone "under her wing" whether it was family or friends. While raising her children she was an avid homemaker and Cub Scout Mom. She had little monetarily but an abundance of compassion and love. In addition to her son and daughter of Gardner, Tillie also leaves one brother, August Bagdonas of Elmira, New York; four grandchildren, Terri Danaher of Belvedere, Maryland, Donna Pfersich of Gardner, Mary-Kate Sand of Gardner, Sgt. Kenneth Sand who is currently serving in the United States Army and stationed in Ft. Louis, Washington; two great grandchildren, Jubileigh Ashby and Nolin Michael Sand, both of Gardner; also many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by three sisters, Frances Hajdukiewicz and Virginia Linnus both died in 2009, Elizabeth Unick; and by her brother, Leon Bagdonis. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Joseph's Church, 358 Pleasant St., Gardner. A calling hour will be held Thursday, March 18, 2010 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Poliks Funeral Home, 431 Pleasant Street, Gardner. Graveside services will be held Friday, March 19, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. in Springdale Cemetery, Turners Falls. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions be made in her memory to the Alzheimer's Association, 311 Arsenal St., Watertown, MA 02472 or to American Cancer Society's New England Division Office, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701. $(document).ready(function(){ });