WESTBOROUGH__Irene R. (Morawski) Niemela 91, formerly of 45 Suomi St., Paxton, died Wednesday December 19, in Beaumont Nursing Center, Westborough. She was the widow of John J. Niemela who died in 1954. Irene was born October 5, 1910, in Worcester, daughter of the late Roman and Pelagia (Strzelecki) Morawski.
Irene resided in Paxton for 55 years. She married John Niemela in St. Mary's Church, Worcester in 1934. They lived in Worcester for one year, and then moved to Paxton. Her husband worked at Bell Co., for several years, then at Harrington Richardson Co. for 14 years.
She leaves five children, Joan I., wife of the late Daniel Hartley of Attleboro; John J. Niemela, husband of Jane (Collard) of West Rotunda, FL., Dorothy P. Cary of Worcester; Pauline S., wife of Kenneth Warren of Northborough and Mary K. Locke of Houston, TX.; 15 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, 4 great great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by four brothers, Joseph, Carl, Chester and Roman Morawski.
Irene attended Commerce High School and in 1927 during the Great Depression left school at the age of 16 in her junior year to weave at Duffy Manufacturing Co. She graduated from high school in 1929. After her husband died, she again worked at Duffy Manufacturing Co., Lusignan Textile Co., and Sprague Electric, Inc. After retiring, she worked as a Senior Aide for the Right to Read Program located at Worcester State College where she coordinated reading materials. She then transferred to the English as a Second Language Division at Worcester Center where she interviewed volunteers. She later became very active in the Paxton Senior Center, assisting in the dining room as a volunteer. She enjoyed crocheting, playing piano, cooking, baking and dancing. She was a member of both St. Columba Church in Paxton and Our Lady of Czestochowa Church in Worcester.
Funeral services and burial will be private. HENRY-DIRSA FUNERAL HOME, 33 Ward Street, Worcester is directing funeral arrangements.