Anna F. Yonaker
...commercial seamstress, active in Tewksbury Sr. community; 98
TEWKSBURY - Anna F. (Pupkis) Yonaker, age 98, a well known and respected member of
Tewksbury’s senior community, died Wednesday morning, March 8., at the Genesis Westford
House, after a long period of declining health. She was the wife of William Yonaker, who died in
1966.
She was born in Boston, on May 25, 1907, a daughter of the late Joseph and Delia (Yuska)
Pupkis. She was raised in Tewksbury, and had lived in Dorchester before returning to Tewksbury
in 1959. She was educated in Tewksbury Schools, and graduated from Lowell High School in
1919, before matriculating to Fitchburg State College.
In her earlier years she worked as a commercial seamstress for Filenes, Cherry & Webb, and Bon
Marche department stores, and held membership in the Lady Garment Workers Union in Boston.
Later, she worked as an instructor in sewing at Tewksbury’s Adult Education Program. Besides
sewing, she had a lifelong affection for reading, and was a frequent visitor to the Tewksbury
Public Library, and supporter of the library through the Friends of the T.P.L.
In her later years, she became a Senior activist in Tewksbury, as a member of the Council on
Ageing for 9 years, Tewksbury’s Golden Age Club, R.S.V.P., Senior Companion Volunteer,
past president of the Saunders Circle Friendship Club, and frequent visitor to the Tewksbury
Senior Drop-In Center. Over several decades, she had been recognized for her important
contribution to Tewksbury’s Senior Community with numerous Massachusetts Governor’s, State
Senate, State Representative, and Town of Tewksbury citations and awards.
She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Patricia Netishen and her husband William of
Nottingham, NH; a son and daughter-in-law, William Yonaker and his wife June (Kaczynski) of
Andover; a brother and sister-in-law, Walter and Mary Pupkis of Tewksbury; five grandchildren,
William Yonaker Jr of Chelmsford, Kimberly Yonaker of Methuen, David Netishen of Exeter,
NH, Steven Netishen of Boston, Christine Netishen of Germany; two great granddaughters, Julia
Rose Netishen, and Emma E. Yonaker. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
She was also sister of the late Margaret Fuller, Mary Fuller, Charles Pupkis, William Pupkis, Ruth
Pupkis and grandmother of the late Billy Netishen.
Her Funeral Mass was celebrated Saturday, Mar. 11, in St. William’s Church,
Tewksbury. Burial was in Tewksbury Cemetery. Memorials to the Tewksbury Public Library Gift Fund, 300 Chandler St. Tewksbury, MA
01876 will be appreciated.