Winifred L. Gonyea

STURBRIDGE-Winifred L. (Nordstrom) Gonyea, 81, passed away peacefully Thursday, February 17, 2011 at Radius Healthcare Center in Southbridge. Her husband, Robert G. Gonyea died in 2008.
She is survived by her two sons: Raymond M. Gonyea and Dale R. Gonyea and his husband Adam E. Stanhope of Sturbridge; three grandchildren: Cailin R., Simon P. and Connor J. of Southbridge; a brother, Paul V. Nordstrom and his wife Katie of Florida and a sister, Janice I. Scott and her husband Robert of Rutland; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her two brothers, Raymond Y. Nordstrom and Alan C. Nordstrom. She was born and raised in Worcester, the second oldest child of the late Gustaf and Isabel (Duval) Nordstrom. She graduated from the former Commerce High School in Worcester, where she met her soon to be husband.
She was employed by the Worcester Telegram and Gazette as an executive secretary, but spent the majority of her life as a devoted housewife and mother. She loved to bake, make crafts and write. She especially loved writing children's stories and poetry. She had poems appear in several publications and won many awards for her poetry. She also had a book of her poems published, "Love's Reflections". For a time, she wrote a monthly article for the Southbridge Evening News.
She was a deeply religious woman, and after converting to Catholicism, she was a religious education instructor and a founding member of the Tri-Community Ecumenical Council as a member of St. Anne's Parish in Sturbridge for over 20 years. She was a member of Notre Dame/Sacred Heart Parish in Southbridge for the last 10 years.
Calling hours will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, February 20 at Lindquist Lundin Funeral Home, 36 Butler Street, Worcester. The funeral Mass will be held Monday, February 21 at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Loreto Parish, 37 Massasoit Road, Worcester. Burial will be at All Faith's Cemetery (New Swedish Cemetery). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Arthritis Foundation at www.arthritis.org. For directions and online condolence book please visit www.lindquistlundin.com