Wendy McNall, R.N. (53) passed away in her home in Baldwinville, MA on Wednesday, May 8th 2019, after sudden and unexpected health complications. She is now embraced in loving-kindness by her Lord and savior, Jesus Christ. Wendy was born on November 28th 1965, the second of four children, to John and Nancy (Lonuzzo) Balaschak in Southington, Connecticut.
There, she shared her childhood with her siblings Jaqueline, Jeffrey, and Jennifer. In 1977 Wendy’s family moved to Ashburnham, Massachusetts, where her heart made friendships that would be nurtured and treasured dearly over a lifetime. After marrying her first husband, Peter Fortier, on June 27th 1987, Wendy brought three children into the world.
Together their hearts fostered many children, and after seven years adopted three more children. Her heart settled in her chosen home of Baldwinville, Massachusetts. Wendy’s heart stretched far across her community.
Her passion for helping people in need led her to serve on the Baldwinville Volunteer Rescue Team. After becoming a certified EMT she served the greater community with Wood’s Ambulance and became an Emergency Dispatcher for the Town of Templeton. These communities inspired Wendy to ultimately pursue nursing.
After obtaining her R.N.,Wendy served as an E.R. Nurse for Health Alliance Hospital and Heywood Hospital of Gardner and Athol. She also used her skills to care for people residing in the Quabbin Valley Healthcare Nursing Home in Athol, MA. Wendy’s people skills also served the Ringe, NH community through Hannaford’s Grocery Store.
Finally, she ended her career caring for her beloved house residents of the North Central District of Life Skills, Inc. Throughout her life, Wendy made sure to enjoy her personal hobbies, including cooking, boating, fishing, watching Boston Baseball and Hockey, playing with her grandson and vacuuming. Wendy never enjoyed these hobbies as much as when she was alongside her husband and friend, Allen McNall. She is predeceased by both her beloved parents, Jack and Nancy Balaschak as well as her sister-in-law, Sarah (Treptow) McCall.
She is survived by her six children: Jacob Fortier with wife Lacey MacCartney, Olivia Sias with husband Jonathan Sias, Rachel Fortier with fiancé Iris Van der Haak, Michelle Fortier with life partner Eric Oakes, Coco Jarrett with husband Isaac Jarrett, and Cheyenne Fortier; only grandchild, Declan, husband, Allen McNall, siblings; Jaqueline Balaschak and life partner Neil Flynn, Jeffrey Balaschak and Jennifer Jones and her brother-in-law Brad Jones, first husband Peter Fortier, nieces and nephews; John Yarrington, Lucas Balaschak with wife Elizabeth Balaschak and children, Nadine Pabon with husband Joshua Pabon and children, and Casey Jones, cousins;Thomas DeLorenzo and wife Nanette DeLorenzo and children, and Michael DeLorenzo with life partner Alissa Marino and child, and her Aunt Diane (Lonuzzo) DeLorenzo and Uncle Anthony DeLorenzo. Calling Hours will be held on Friday, May 17th from 5-7 p.m. at the Lamoureux Smith & Poliks Chapel 105 Central St. Gardner. A Memorial service will be held on Saturday May 25th at 12:00 p.m., at Chair City Church 112 Central Street Gardner followed by internment at the Greenlawn Cemetery in Baldwinville.
To leave an online condolence please visit www. mackfamilyfh.com In lieu of flowers, please honor Wendy’s memory and family by making a donation to St. Jude’s Hospital by calling their donor phone line at 1-800-822-6344 or by visiting www. stjude.org.
Mack Family Funeral Homes 105 Central St. Gardner is assisting the family with arrangements.
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