Pauline D. (Roy) Wirtanen

ASHBURNHAM - Pauline D. (Roy) Wirtanen, 83 of Ashburnham, died peacefully Monday, October 1, 2012 surrounded by her loving family in the River Terrace Healthcare, Lancaster, MA. She was born in Fitchburg, on September 1, 1929, the daughter of the late Joseph and the late Regina (Masse) Roy. A light from our household is gone.  A voice we loved is still.  A place is vacant in our home,that can never be filled.  As we look upon her picture, sweet memories we recall of a face so full of sunshine, and a smile for one and all.  Sweet Jesus take our message to her up above, tell her how we miss her and give her all our love. Pauline was a skilled seamstress for many years before her retirement as a cafeteria server at John R. Briggs Elementary School in Ashburnham.   Pauline was a communicant of St. Denis Church where she was a devoted catholic.  She was lifetime member of the Ladies Guild of the church.  She was a member of the Ashburnham Democratic Committee, the Forever Young Club and an Associate Member of the Sisters of the Presentation.  She was the former secretary of the St. Vincent De Paul Society of the church.  She graduated from Fitchburg Vocational School and was a leader in the Girl Scouts of America. She leaves her husband of 65 years, Everett J. Wirtanen, Sr.; seven children, Christine McGowan of Ashburnham, Shirley Stevens and her husband Edward of Ashburnham, Alice Green and her husband Richard of Leominster, Brenda Whittemore and her husband Ernest of Hubbardston, Lori Quinn and her husband Kirk of Winchendon Springs, Rhonda Parenteau and her husband Gary of Gardner, Everett J. Wirtanen, Jr. of Fitchburg; 2 sisters, Gloria Boudreau of Fitchburg, Sylvia Dube of Gardner; fourteen grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, four great great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by eight brothers, Robert Roy, Leon Roy, Romeo Roy, Norman Roay, Alphonse Roy, George Roy, Maurice Roy and Donald Roy. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, October 5, 2012 at 11:00 am in St. Denis Church, 85 Main St., Ashburnham.  All attending the mass are asked to go directly to the church.  Burial will follow in St. Denis Cemetery, Ashburnham. Calling hours will be held Thursday, October 4, 2012, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Mack Funeral Home, 91 Vernon St., Gardner. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made in her memory to Alzheimer's Association, 311 Arsenal St., Watertown, MA 02472 or to the River Terrace Healthcare Center - Alzheimer's Unit, 1675 Main St., Lancaster, MA 01523. For more information or to sign our online guest book please visit www.mackfuneralhome.com. Mack Funeral Home 91 Vernon St., Gardner is directing arrangements. $(document).ready(function(){ });