Monica E. (McNally) Champagne

PHILLIPSTON- Monica E. (McNally) Champagne, 83, of Phillipston, died Friday, July 19, in her home, after an illness. She was born May 4, 1930, in Marlborough, MA, daughter of the late John and Mary (Long) McNally. Mrs. Champagne was raised in Worcester where she attended Sacred Heart School and worked for Whitalls Rug where she met her husband, Robert. They moved to Baldwinville in 1965, then to Phillipston in 1968. Mrs. Champagne also worked for Winchendon Furniture and then Fontaine Brothers in Gardner before retiring. While living in Worcester, she was a member of Sacred Heart Parish where she was a communicant, and then joined St. Vincent DePaul Parish in Baldwinville before moving to Phillipston and joining Holy Cross Parish. She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the American Legion Post 373, The Red Hat Society, and the Templeton Rod & Gun Club. Mrs. Champagne was a caring and generous woman and family was her priority. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, and doting grandmother. She was very proud of her brother and five sisters. She loved having people around, especially children, and her house was always open to visitors. She especially enjoyed playing Santa Claus for the children at her daughters daycare. She enjoyed traveling, long rides, whistling, old movies and was an avid card player and especially looked forward, twice a year, to her four day camping trips to Loudon, NH during NASCAR season. Her husband of 59 years, Robert O. Champagne, died May 7, 2009. She was also predeceased by two sisters, Regina Spencer and Patricia Berry. She leaves 2 daughters, Sandra M. Champagne and her husband, Michael Winslow, of Phillipston, and Diane C. LaRoche and her husband, James of Gardner; 2 sons, Paul J. Champagne and his wife, Lisa of Templeton, and Stephen T. Champagne and his wife, Luanne of Athol; 1 brother, John F. McNally of Worcester; 3 sisters, Agnes Bonardi of Manchester, NH, Kathleen Moylan of Auburn, and Dorothy Healy of Milbury; 9 grandchildren, Donna Dunn of Baldwinville, Shawn Vaillancourt of Phillipston, Jill Wikel of Lebanon, PA, Jaime Brewer of East Templeton, Beau Champagne of Gardner, Krystle Champagne of Los Angeles, CA, Kayla Champagne of Gardner, Kara Champagne of Athol, and Eric Winslow of Phillipston; 13 great grandchildren, Brittany Dunn, Taylor Dunn, Krysten Dunn, Bailey Vaillancourt, Denver Vaillancourt, Jewelianna Vaillancourt, Madison LaRoche, Georgia Brewer, Claire Wilson, Khloe Duplessis, Mikaela Winslow, Rachel Wikel, and Sarah Wikel; the birth of her first great-great grandson is expected in September; and several nieces and nephews. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, July 25, at 11:30 A.M. in Holy Cross Church, 25 Lake Ave., East Templeton. The committal service will follow in the MA Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 111 Glenallen St., Winchendon. Calling hours are Wednesday, July 24, from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. in Fiske, Murphy & Mack Funeral Home, 110 New Athol Rd., Orange. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to the American Lung Association, 460 Totten Pond Rd., Waltham, MA 02451, or to the Gardner VNA, c/o Office of Development, 34 Pearly Lane, Gardner, MA 01440. For more information or to sign our online guest book please visit www.fiskefuneralhome.com. Fiske-Murphy & Mack Funeral Home 110 New Athol Road, Orange is directing arrangements. $(document).ready(function(){ });