Gardner – Marion Louise (Allen) Schmidl, loving mother and Nana passed away peacefully in Gardner at Wachusett Manor Nursing Home on January 30, 2019. She was one day short of her 88th birthday. Marion was born in Gardner on January 31, 1931, the only daughter of Charles and Emma Allen.
She was a devoted daughter to them, caring for both of them into their elder years. Marion married Joseph Schmidl in 1958 and they resided in Bridgeport, CT until his untimely passing in 1964. She moved back to Gardner and raised her three children there while also caring for her parents.
Marion was a graduate of Gardner High School class of 1948 and graduated from St. Vincent Hospital School of Nursing in 1951. She worked as a registered nurse at the Henry Heywood Memorial Hospital and the former Gardner Manor Nursing Home for 30 years, finally retiring in 2000. In spite of her retirement, she was always a nurse, even during her residency at Wachusett Manor where she would ask for her medicationorders to be printed out so that she would know the details of her care.
Marion is survived by her children, their spouses and her grandchildren: Joseph Schmidl and Cindy Owen of Salisbury, NH; Ann Schmidl McDonald of Westminster, MA and her friend Michael McDonald of Leominster, MA; and Mark Schmidl-Gagne and his wife Kim Schmidl-Gagne of Keene, NH. Her grandchildren were the lights of her life including: Casey and Emma Schmidl Gagne, Maggie Schmidl and Andrew McDonald. She also counted three step children as her ownincluding Joanna Tibbets and Stephen and Thomas Oakley.
Marion was the dearest mother and Nana that her children and grandchildren could have hoped for and they are thankful for having shared her spirit in this world for all of these many years. She focused her life on raising her children and supporting her family in a way that brought good into the world. Her quick wit was matched by a certain twinkle in her eye that let you know she was enjoying a joke or story.
While she committed her life to her children, her grandchildren were her pride and joy. She enjoyed family gatherings and the food and merriment that went with them. Now she has reunited with her husband Joe after all of these years in a place where there is no more pain or discomfort, but just joy and reward for a life well-lived.
God bless you Mum! Marion would want to express her gratefulness for the exceptional care offered by the staff of the Wachusett Manor Nursing Home in Gardner. Her physical, emotional and social needs were met by them and they provided her with a sense of security and stability in her recent years.
Gratitude without measure is extended to everyone who offered her care and support. Relatives and friends are invited to join the family for a brief visitation at the Lamoreaux-Fletcher Funeral Home on 105 Central Street in Gardner, MA from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. on Monday, February 4, 2019. This visitation will be immediately followed by a Christian Funeral Mass held at 11:00 a.m. at Annunciation Parish, Holy Rosary Church, 135 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Holy Family Academy Angel Fund or the Wachusett Manor Nursing Home Recreation Fund.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
