Lillian A. (Matusewicz) Martowska

Lillian Ann Martowska (Matusewicz), age 87, passed away at the Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Needham, Massachusetts on Tuesday, September 14, 2021 after a short term illness. She was a lifelong native of Norwood, MA, born in Norwood on October 23, 1933. She was the last surviving child of the late Stanley & Sophie (Gotovecki) Matusewicz, immigrants from Poland. She is predeceased by her 7 other siblings, Stasia Matusewicz, Agnes Jeanette Romanelli, Jennie Matusewicz, Anthony Paul Martowska, Zigmund Anthony Martowska, Walter Peter Martowska, and Frances Carol D'Entremont. Lillian lived her entire life in the same house she was raised in and had an abiding love and pride for South Norwood. She was a lifelong practicing Catholic and a communicant of St. Mary Catholic Church in East Walpole. Lillian was a proud graduate of Balch Elementary School and the Henry O. Peabody School for Girls, a vocational school attached to Norwood High School. She had an interest in fashion design which eventually led her to the career path of a master seamstress for Emma Bridal's Shop in Dedham where she worked for many years and tutored many who walked in her footsteps. After caring for her mother for several years, she later pursued a path in providing support services to residents at the Charlwell House in Norwood. She remained an independent individual throughout her life. Though she held a driver's license, she preferred not to drive, instead becoming an avid walker in and around Norwood, with South Norwood being her main stomping ground. She contributed greatly to her hometown history via her participation with the South Norwood Committee of the Norwood Historical Society in its attempt to document South Norwood and its immigrant community. Lillian's family was one of the immigrant families who became a fabric of Norwood life during the early to late 1900's. Lillian documented that in both the photos and history found in the publication "South Norwood" released in 2004 by Arcadia publishing. Lillian was devoted to her hometown of Norwood. Her first job was as manager of the Southern Theatre. She integrated herself into the goings on about town. Those in the Town Hall, DPW, and Engineering Department knew her on a first-name basis whereas she was not shy to discuss needed improvements or things gone wrong on town projects and always for the betterment of the town she loved. Though she had no children, she enjoyed the company of family members, always being a receptive audience and offering sage advice in difficult times. She loved playing the guitar and stayed close to her childhood friends Olga Perry and Helen Goodman. Lillian is survived by her nephews and nieces: Peter D'Entremont of Walpole, Susan D'Entremont of Albany, NY, James D'Entremont of Baton Rouge, LA, Jean Forget of Douglas, Ruth Parker of Prospect, CT, Rev. Judy Martowska of Norwood, Michael Martowska of Lakeville, David Martowska of Foster, RI, Diane Martowska of Smithfield, RI, Shirley Grindrod of Lakeville, Eugene Romanelli Jr. of Wrentham, Tara Bongo of Norwood, and Frances "Sistie" Wood of Norwood. She is predeceased by her nephews Wayne Martowska and Brian Romanelli. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the wake on Friday, September. 24, 2021 from 4 -7 PM at the Kraw-Kornack Funeral Home, 1248 Washington St, Norwood. Funeral from the Kraw-Kornack, Norwood Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021 at 9:30 AM followed by a funeral mass at 10:30 AM at St. Mary Church in East Walpole. Interment will be at Highland Cemetery, 320 Winter St, Norwood. The family kindly asks those attending services to wear face masks to prevent the spread of Covid. In lieu of flowers, you can make donations online in memory of Lillian A. Martowska to the American Heart Association ( www.heart.org ), the American Cancer Society ( www.cancer.org ), or St. Jude's Hospital ( www.stjude.org ).