WINCHENDON - Pauline " Pauly" ( Dionne) Simila, 83, of Winchendon, died peacefully Saturday morning, March 16th, in Henry Haywood Hospital, Gardner, with her family at her side.
She was born in Boston on August 21, 1929, daughter of the late Ernest J. and Josephine (Witt) Dionne and lived in Winchendon for most of her life.
Pauly was a 1947 graduate of Murdock High School, where she was class secretary and a member of several academic and athletic clubs. She graduated from Boston City Hospital School of Nursing as a Registered Nurse. She began her nursing career there and also spent time at Mass General Hospital. She then worked at Peterborough Community Hospital and the former Winchendon Hospital until her retirement.
Pauly was an all-around sports fan, following the Boston Red Sox, Bruins, Celtics and the New England Patriots. As an avid golfer, she learned to play in her 20's and competed in many tournaments with her husband, family and friends through the summer of 2012. She was a long time member of The Winchendon Country Club. She was also a member of the WGAM, where she was Winchendon's state representative; and member and former president of the Class C division of the WCWGA. Pauly was a life long member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. A loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother, she treasured spending time with her family.
Her husband of 37 years, Harold "Harry" Simila, died in 1991. She leaves three daughters, Wendy S. Snickenberger and her husband Walter of Wellesley, Joanne S. Catlin and her late husband Mike of Ashburnham, and Kathy S. Goodale and her husband Timothy of Belchertown; a brother, Ernest J. Dionne, Jr., DDS and his wife Pat of Longs, South Carolina; nine grandchildren, Kylie and her husband Vinnie, Michael Jr. and his wife Leah, Alex, Jake and his wife Allie, Zachary, Mark, Timothy II, Sally and Katherine; three great grandchildren, Finley, Michael Dino and Michael Budd Catlin, III.
A mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, March 23rd, at 11 am, in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 52 Spruce Street, Winchendon.
Calling hours in Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon, are Friday, March 22nd from 4 to 6 pm.
A private Burial will be in The Calvary Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations to help local families in need can be made to The Winchendon Health Foundation, c/o Ellie Goderre, 55 Hospital Drive, Winchendon, MA 01475.