Irene Mattila

WESTMINSTER -- Irene (Wironen) Mattila, 78, of 21 Sunset Road, died peacefully on Feb. 14 at her home after a brief illness.

Born in Gardner on Feb. 26, 1928, she was the daughter of Asarias and Miina (Kalmari) Wironen. Irene graduated from the Gardner High School Class of 1946 and received a degree in journalism from Simmons College in 1950. She began her career as a reporter for the “Contact Magazine,” a New England Electric Employee publication.

Irene was librarian at Forbush Memorial Library for 25 years, during which time she attended both Fitchburg and Worcester State Colleges in pursuit of a library science degree. She retired in 1995. Irene also served as a hospice care provider, a volunteer and consultant to the Finnish Cultural Center, and was an active member of the Westminster Historical Society. She was a lifelong member of the Faith Lutheran Church of Gardner (Previously Covenant Evangelical).

She was predeceased by her brother, Richard Wironen.

She is survived by her husband, J. Richard Mattila; three children, Nancy Keane of Nokomis, Fla., Peter Mattila of Stowe, Vt., and Susan Vitale of Greenland, N.H.; as well as six grandchildren, Kirsten Mattila, Erin Mattila, Erica Mattila, Anne Marie Mattila, Simone Vitale and Samuel Vitale.

MATTILA -- Funeral services will be Monday, Feb. 19 at 10 a.m. in the Faith Lutheran Church, 627 Green St., Gardner. Burial will be in the Massachusetts Veterans Cemetery in Winchendon at a later time. Calling hours at the Smith Funeral Home Inc., 69 Vernon St., Gardner are Sunday, Feb. 18 from 3 to 5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Faith Lutheran Church, 627 Green St., Gardner, MA 01440.