WORCESTER__Eleonora (Barauskas) Matulevicius of Worcester, 103 years old passed away on December 31, 2020 in Millbury, MA. Eleonora was a beloved mother of Violeta Kavaliauskas of New Fairfield, CT and Dalia and Sal Panzera of Millbury, MA, her four grandchildren Robert Kavaliauskas (Laura) of St. Genevieve, MO, Tomas Kavaliauskas of New Fairfield, CT, Nichole (Brian) Gould of Worcester, MA, and Andrea Panzera of Millbury, MA and five great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband Juozas (1983), her parents Vincas and Maria Barauskas, brother Bronius and sister Irena Paliulis. Eleonora’s life spanned many countries, two World Wars and relocation to the USA. Born in St. Petersburg, Russia on February 21, 1917, her parents moved back to their homeland Lithuania in 1920. She attended the University of Vilnius and married Joseph in 1941. In 1944, they were forced to flee during WWII to Germany, where they lived through bombings and the wars end. They then spent five postwar years in various Displaced Person Camps. They immigrated to the US in 1949 after being sponsored by Joe Dusavage of Worcester, MA. In the 1950’s, Eleonora and Joseph sponsored 6 families to come to the US.
Eleonora was fluent in English, Polish, German, Russian and Lithuanian. Her language ability was especially useful when they owned and operated Capitol Market on Millbury Street from 1955 to 1983. She was loved by her customers and was always ready to help in any way she could. Her home was open to friends and family, where she enjoyed cooking Lithuanian cuisine and sharing it with them.
She was a member at St. Casimir’s Church, the Lithuanian Maironis Park, and other Lithuanian organizations. Throughout her life, she survived and overcame going blind, cancer, a stroke, a hip replacement at 101, and most recently, Covid. She was known for her great strength, courage and will to live. She loved hosting parties for her widowed lady friends, watching her grandchildren grow up, and was proud of their accomplishments. She was able to live at home until late 2019, with the help of Jadvyga, a personal aid from her homeland Lithuania. Eleonora’s family is forever grateful for all the home health nurses, and those from CareOne in Millbury who helped care for her during her later years. New Years Eve was a special day that she shared with many of her friends, celebrating life and friendships. Though it would be on New Year’s Eve that Eleonora would pass, her family believes she is now celebrating with them in heaven, toasting to a long life with many fond memories.
A funeral Mass will be Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at 11:30 am in Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, 34 Ward St., Worcester, MA. Attendance is based on current gathering guidelines and the wearing of a mask. Burial will follow in Notre Dame Cemetery. HENRY-DIRSA FUNERAL HOME, 33 Ward St., is assisting the family with arrangements. www.worcesterfuneral.com