Winnifred M. Hammerberg

Winnifred M. (Fournier) Dowd Hammerberg, 83, died Sunday, Oct. 14 in St. Mary Health Care Center.

Her husband of 31 years, Edwin F. Hammerberg, died in 1997. Her first husband, James A. Dowd, died in 1959. She leaves seven children, Winifred O'Coin of Sterling, Catherine O'Connor, Margaret Dowd, Mary Dot Curll, all of Worcester, Dennis A. Dowd of West Columbia, South Carolina, Larry Hammerberg of Paxton and Laurene Cormier of Windsor, Vt.; 20 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, a great-great-grandson, and several nieces and nephews.

Her son, James A. Dowd Jr. died in 2006, her grandson Michael R. O'Coin died in 1999 and her grandson Timothy O'Connor died in 2005. Her sisters Jean Hannah and Pauline Fournier, and her brother Henry Fournier also predeceased her.

She was born in Shrewsbury, daughter of Napoleon and Margaret (Berry) Fournier and moved to Worcester as a child. She later lived in Sterling for 24 years, before returning to Worcester in 1997.

She worked many years in the shipping dept. at the Colonial Press in Clinton.

She was an avid knitter, crocheter, and scrabble player. Most importantly, she was a loving and devoted mother and grandmother.

Calling hours at the Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester, are Tuesday, Oct. 16 from 5 to 8 p.m. The funeral will be Wednesday, Oct. 17 from the funeral home with a Mass at 11 a.m. in Blessed Sacrament Church, 555 Pleasant St., Worcester. Burial will be in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham 01701.