LOWELL- Annette Marie (Gennell) Tontar, a lifelong resident of Lowell, died early Monday morning, October 29th, at the Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley, in Billerica, after a long illness. She celebrated her ninety-first birthday on July 3rd. She was married for forty-nine years to Silvio Tontar, MD, who died in November of 1991.
Mrs. Tontar was born in Lowell, a daughter of the late Charles and Sophie (Carrier) Gennell. She was graduated from Presentation of Mary Academy in Hudson, NH, in 1934, and from Rivier College, in 1938. She was a member of one of the first graduating classes at Rivier and was also one of the oldest living graduates.
While teaching at Saint Jeanne d’Arc Elementary School, she pursued graduate studies in French literature at Boston University. After her marriage in February of 1942, Mrs. Tontar worked in the defense industry while her husband served in the Pacific theater.
She was an avid reader and movie enthusiast and enjoyed trips to museums, the mountains and the seashore. Mrs. Tontar established the Dr. Silvio Tontar Family Scholarship at Merrimack College to assist students pursuing pre-medical studies.
Surviving her are a daughter: Silvia Tontar, of Lowell; a son: Charles Tontar, and his wife Candace Mitchell, of Newburyport; a beloved grandson: Darien, of Newburyport; a cousin: Esther Rousseau, and a sister-in-law: Elsa Chiapolino, of Italy.
At her request there will be no calling hours. Friends are invited to her Funeral Mass to be offered on Friday, November 2nd, at 11 AM at the IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH. Burial in St. Mary Cemetery, Tewksbury. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Dr. Silvio Tontar Family Scholarship, c/o Merrimack College; 315 Turnpike Street; North Andover, MA 01845.