Eleanor Sova

FITCHBURG -- Eleanor M. (Devlin) Sova, 87, formerly of 24 School St. and 29 Merriam Parkway, Fitchburg, died Saturday, Dec. 1, in the Highlands Longterm Care Center, after a long illness, surrounded by her loving family.

Her husband of 49 years, Joseph P. Sova, died in 1993.

Mrs. Sova worked at the former Whitinsville Machine Works and later was a Floor Person at the former Foster Grant Company in Leominster and later was employed for 13 years at the former Renauld International Company, retiring in 1980.

She was a member of St. Bernard’s Parish in Fitchburg, the Retired Women’s Club, the Golden Age Association, the Fitchburg Senior Citizens Center, the Fitchburg Boosters, the American Friendship Association and attended Northbridge High School and was an avid bowler.

She was born in Whitinsville, on May 9, 1920, a daughter of the late Thomas F., and Jennie (McGuiness) Devlin and lived in Fitchburg since 1958.

She leaves one son, Joseph G. Sova and his wife, Victoria, of Sterling; two daughters, Barbara J. McGuirk and her husband, Thomas, of Fitchburg, and Karen J. Baer and her husband, Douglas P., of Townsend; and seven grandchildren, Jayna Dinsmore, Michael Baer, Sean McGuirk, Stephanie Baer, and Caroline, Patrick and Genevieve McCallum; one great-grandchild, Eleanor Jayn Dinsmore; and several brothers and sisters-in-laws and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by four brothers, Charles, Paul, Bernard and Dermott Devlin; and three sisters, Claire Houle, Frances Horinga and Mary Pichulis.

SOVA -- The funeral will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 5, from the Smith-Mallahy-Masciarelli Funeral Home, 243 Water St., Fitchburg, with a Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Bernard’s Church, 240 Water St., Fitchburg. Burial will follow in St. Bernard’s Cemetery, Fitchburg. Calling hours at the funeral home are Tuesday, Dec. 4, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Flowers may be sent or memorial contributions may be made to the St. Bernard’s Parish Renovation Fund, 240 Water St., Fitchburg, MA 01420 or to Curt’s Pitch for ALS, 75 McNeil Way, Suite 310, Dedham, MA 02026, or may be left at the funeral home. See www.masciarellifamilyfuneralhomes.net for further information.