Mary Catherine L'Etoile
July 25, 1927 — March 16, 2017
WINCHENDON - Mary Catherine (McNamara) L'Etoile, 89, passed away peacefully at her home Thursday, March 16, 2017.
She was born July 25, 1927 in Hempstead, LI to the late Edward J. and Nora A. (Landers) McNamara. She resided in Winchendon for 86 years.
Mary married the late Joseph A. L'Etoile, who passed away November 5, 2016 and they had celebrated their 68th anniversary. They were best friends and sweet hearts for over 73 years.
Mary leaves behind her son, Michael E. L'Etoile of Winchendon; a daughter Jane Pineo and her husband Philip of Gardner; 16 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren; a sister, Carol Lemieux and her husband Roland of Leominster and many nieces and nephews. A son, Joseph J. L'Etoile, passed away December 19, 2016. A sister, Susan McNamara Johnson preceded her in death.
Mary graduated from Murdock High School in 1944 and from Fitchburg Teacher's College in 1948. She started her teaching career in Winchendon public schools teaching at Woodcock and White Schools. She opened Mrs. L'Etoile's Kindergarten in 1956 and educated hundreds of young children until she retired in 1986.
Mary was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Baldwinville and was a former member and religious education instructor at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. She was a much beloved woman, who touched hundreds of people with her quiet generosity.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at 10:30 A.M. in St. Vincent de Paul Church, 1 Forest Street, Baldwinville. Burial will follow in Massachusetts Veteran's Memorial Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to Murdock Alumni Association or to Forward in Health.
The family would like to extend its love and appreciation to Dr. John Harrington and GVNA Hospice.
Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon is directing arrangements.
www.stone-ladeau.com