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Marilyn Fratturelli Obituary
WORCESTER -- Marilyn (O'Donnell) Fratturelli, 68, passed away on October 20, 2012 at UMass Memorial Hospital in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Marilyn was born and raised in Leominster, Massachusetts where she graduated from Leominster High School in 1961. She went on to earn a Bachelor's degree in education, a master's degree in guidance counseling, and a master's degree in educational administration at Fitchburg State University. Marilyn was employed by the Leominster Public Schools for 37 years. She was a teacher at Southeast Elementary School, Director of the Gifted and Talented Program, principal of Fallbrook Elementary School, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment, and Superintendent of Public Schools. She later became an educational consultant for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as well as Fitchburg State University.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents Alvin and Mildred Hembrow and her husband of 32 years, Donald Fratturelli. She is survived by her three children, Tricia Dawson and her husband Earl, Leah Vivirito and her husband Anthony, and Matthew Fratturelli and his wife Jennifer. She is also survived by her eight grandchildren Jack, Ty, Zane, Thomas, Roman, Nicolo, Leo, and Gianna as well as her brothers Richard O'Donnell and his wife Jane, Robert Hembrow and his wife Brenda, and her mother-in-law, Sarah Fratturelli.
An Educator at heart Marilyn never ceased in her lifetime pursuit of higher education and helping children. Marilyn's accomplishments and impact on her community were significant. However she always considered her greatest accomplishment her family. Marilyn's unconditional love for her children and grandchildren will be her lasting legacy.
FRATTURELLI -- A funeral service will be held on Friday, October 26, 2012 at 11 am in the Leominster United Methodist Church, 77 Hall Street, Leominster. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Leominster. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, October 25, 2012 from 4-8 pm in the Silas F. Richardson & Son Funeral Home, 106 West Street, Leominster. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Attn: Contributions Services 6th Fl., 10 Brookline Place West, Brookline, MA 02445 www.dana-farber.org www.richardsonfuneralhome.net
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Memories and Condolences
for Marilyn Fratturelli
November 11, 2012
Dear Tricia, Leah, and Matt, Please accept our sincerest condolences on the passing of your dear mother. She was a terrific lady---intelligent,kind,a superb educator, and devoted wife and mother! Marilyn will be missed by many!
Fondly,
Jim & Marilyn Gould
October 28, 2012
To the family,
your mother was truly a one of a kind, who found only the best in everyone. She was an Angle to a lot of us.
Sue & Tom
Patricia Whitney
October 28, 2012
To Marilyn's Family,
Just returned from a trip to sadly hear of Marilyn's passing. We have been friends and classmates since Jr. High School. Many happ memories and good times we shared. My love goes out to you all.'
Pat (Martino) Whitney class of 1961
christina spinelli
October 27, 2012
Tricia, Leah, and Matt~
I was so sorry to hear about your Mother's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Marilyn was a very kind and compassionate woman. I had the honor of knowing your mom as a friend and educator. As a friend she was loyal, trustworthy,and supportive. As an educator, she was dedicated, skilled, and inspirational. I will always remember her big smile, blue eyes, and positive spirit. May God bless all of you!
Nick Z
October 27, 2012
Frat,
I was so saddened to hear of your Mom's passing. Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Your Mom was always VERY good to me, taught me much and had a positive impact on so many young minds. My heart goes out to you.
Deborah Fratturelli-Tata
October 26, 2012
I very sorry for your loss. I am keeping you all in my heart, thoughts & prayers.
Charles Thibodeau
October 25, 2012
Marilyn was an inspiration to our Superintendents group where she was admired and respected. She will be deeply missed, especially her kindness.
Joel Favreau
October 25, 2012
Leah, Tricia and Matt, I'm so sorry to hear about your mom. She was awesome! She was my favorite teacher and she was always so kind. She will be missed. What a special lady!
Elisabeth Vaught Biernik
October 25, 2012
Marilyn was a mentor to me. I used to tell her she was kissed by the Blarney Stone because she has such a way with words and could get people to agree to do something without even realizing it! She touches many people with her smile, her kindness and her dedication. She'll be missed by many.
patsy crowley
October 24, 2012
Tricia my thoughts prayers and love go out to you and all your family during this diffacult time!!! Please let me know if you need anything even just a listening ear, Much love to you always Patsy
Nina (Green) Hopkins
October 24, 2012
She was my fifth grade teacher at Southeast Elementary School. My absolute, all time favorite teacher. Warm, caring honest with her feedback. My heart goes out to her family and friends at this most difficult time.
October 24, 2012
we are so sorry to hear of your loss,she was a special person,,and i know she will be missed..the SALMI FAMILY,BUTCH,BEVERLY,KIRSTI,DEREK
October 24, 2012
MATT, LEAH,TRICIA
MY HEART JUST ACHES ABOUT YOUR MOM. YOU WERE BLESSED TO HAVE REALLY GOOD PARENTS. WHEN YOUR FATHER DIED, IT WAS LIKE A PART OF ME DIED. WE WERE ALWAYS CLOSE AND ENJOYED EACH OTHERS COMPANY, WHEN WE AROUND EACH OTHER. MAY THEY BOTH BE HUGGING EACH OTHER IN HEAVEN. I SORRY I CANT BE AT THE FUNERAL, BUT I WILL BE THERE IN MY HEART. I WILL ALSO BE MAKING A DONATION TO DANA FABER IN YOUR MOTHERS NAME. GOD BLESS BOTH YOUR PARENT AND TO ALL OF YOUR.
RON AND KAREN FRATTURELLI
PRESCOTT VALLEY AZ.
October 24, 2012
I am so sorry for your loss. Mrs. Fratturelli was a great teacher of mine and I will always remember "10 lashes with a wet noodle" May she rest in peace.
Stephanie (Vowles) Snow
Melissa McLaughlin (Gionet)
October 24, 2012
Mrs. Fratteurelli was my 4th grade teacher at Southeast. I remember her spelling tests and the rewards! She was a fair and equal teacher who pushed her students to be their best. Thirty years later and still a fond memory - she definitely did her job - educating students - and did it well. Her family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Cheri Charette Law
October 24, 2012
Mrs. Fratturelli was one of my all time favorite teachers. I had her at Southeast School, where I remember her bringing a few of us to McDonald's for sundaes when we would spell all of our quarterly spelling test words correctly. She made learning fun, and truly inspired my passion for reading and writing. I am so very sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in knowing how many lives she touched, and that she will always be remembered fondly. My deepest condolences to her family and friends.
October 24, 2012
Matt,Leah,Tricia,
I am so sorry for your loss. Your mom was truly wonderfull. She was an inspiration to many, especially those of us that had the privelege of being her students. She is one of the reasons and inspirations that I decided to become a teacher.
Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
Tommy Kamataris and Family
Stacey Farinelli
October 24, 2012
To Mrs. Fratturelli's loved ones,
I am so sorry to hear of her passing, she was a wonderful, truly amazing woman! I met Marilyn after my brother came to live with me. She took him under her wing and helped to keep him on the right road and also made him realize the importance of higher education. She was there for me as well, always keeping me up to date with my brother's academics, as well as his mind set. She took the time for him and myself, when it seemed no one else cared, for that alone she will be in our hearts forever. Marilyn was the best of the best. May those who grieve for her find comfort and peace, for she was loved by many.
Fmr. School Comm. Member Josh Sanderski
October 24, 2012
I served on the Leominster School Committee as an elected member at large during Marilyn's time as Superintendent. Let me state my sincere condolences and prayers are with the family. Marilyn was a delight to work with because she constantly reminded me, by example, to always have the children of Leominster at heart. She inspired me. She brought her knowledge and compassion to a board who often lacked those traits themselves. She and I attended many conferences together and always laughed and we worked well with one another. At times we disagreed, but always respected each others positions. She always encouraged me to keep children first in my positions and debate with other committee members. Marilyn is one of the best Superintendents this community of Leominster ever had. She saw this community off onto the right foot as the federal government posed strict mandates on school districts. It's because of her work here in leominster we are a competing and credible; successful public school district. I know her legacy is with her family, she always spoke about lovingly. I'm saddened your family and this community has lost a loving, cherished woman. Thank you, the family, for sharing Marilyn with the children of leominster.
October 24, 2012
Leah, Matt and Tricia... My family and I are so sorry to hear of your loss. It is the loss of many who have have the privilege of having your mom in our lives. She was a teacher, mentor and friend to our family, and we will always remember her as an amazing woman with a kind heart and beautiful smile. Memories in our heart will always keep your mother near.
October 23, 2012
Marilyn, an awesome wife, mother grandmother, sister and a friend to all that new her. Wish we could go back to the days of the pool parties, nights out on the town and all the fun we had. Everybody will miss her but we will still have the memories to cherish. To the entire Fratturelli family my sincere condolence. John Ferrera and Family
Roxanne Letarte
October 23, 2012
Tricia, Leah, Matt, and All of Marilyn's Family,
How blessed you were to have so special and talented a mother and family member! Her beautiful smile highlighted her kind, gentle, and caring persona. Marilyn was the consummate professional in any role she held. She tackled the easy and the difficult tasks without ever imparting pressure on others, but always getting the job done. From the time she began as a fifth grade teacher to her rise in the administrative ranks, she had the respect of all because her positive outlook allowed her to see the best in everyone, child or adult,and encourage them to be better and to use their gifts for the greater good of all.
While the present is a time of sadness and grieving for a remarkable woman who will be dealy missed, Marilyn would never want to leave a void among us. Rather, she would wish for each one who was touched by her to carry on her legacy in the ways she taught and mentored. For our world is a better place for her having been here, the Leominster community is fortunate to have benefited from her passion and expertise as an educator, and we are all better for having known her.
May she forever rest peacefully and be remembered in our hearts, prayers, and works.
Sheila Fagan Osgood
October 23, 2012
So sorry for your loss. Marilyn was a classmate of mine at LHS. My prayers go out to Marilyn's family.
C. Hughes
October 23, 2012
Dr. Fratturelli was a wonderful example of class and kindness. Whenever I saw her she greeted me warmly and always looked beautiful. My prayers go out to the family.
june theis
October 23, 2012
So sorry for your loss. Marilyn was a classmate of mine at LHS. Sending my prayers to her family.
Tom & Chris Lamey
October 23, 2012
We were very sad and shocked to hear of Marilyn's death. She was such a woman of substance, class, enthusiasm, and great humor – radiating vitality at all times! On several drives around the state to visit National Institute of School Leadership cohorts, we seldom talked about education but rather she would glowingly talk of her family, the joy and pride she felt for her children and grandchildren, and her love of the Red Sox! We will miss our colleague and friend who certainly made better our great profession.
Shauna Dube
October 23, 2012
Matt, Leah, Tricia, and the rest of the Fratturelli family; we are so saddened by Marilyn's passing. She was an amazing individual that we have many fond memories of. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Best, Shauna and Tom Dube
Glenn DeBettencourt
October 23, 2012
One of the finest Teachers,I've ever known...and such a special person...you will be missed by so many...Thank you for all you've done for so many children...that impact has followed me thru to today...Rest in Peace.
John Boyle
October 23, 2012
I was a classmate of Marilyn's at LHS. Marilyn's success was a source of pride to all who attended school with her. My condolences to the Fratturelli family.
Helen Novick
October 23, 2012
To Marilyn's family and dear friends I send my condolences and sympathy. I knew Marilyn when I worked at Southeast. She was a wonderful teacher and a remarkable human being whom I respected enormously. Her passing is so sad for us all. Love to you all, Helen Novick, Boston,Ma.
Mariann Rosa
October 23, 2012
It was a privilige and an honor to be associated with such a remarkable woman. Marilyn not only encouraged me in my teaching profession she was extremely supportive in my personal life. May God bless her.
Joan Spinelli Anthony Ingemi
October 23, 2012
Sending our sympathies and prayers to all the Fratturelli family. I was so sad to read that. Marilyn was an amazing women. She has now gone to be with your father. God Bless all of you. She will be missed by all.
Heather Poirier Mazzaferro
October 23, 2012
Leah and family, I am so sorry to hear of your mom's passing. I was so fortunate to see her not long ago and I was so happy to share my 5th grade Southeast memories with her as my teacher. She was so compassionate and her small acts of kindness meant so much to me. She was so warm and caring and I will never forget her beautiful smile. We are only of this world once and to leave a legacy like she did is a crowning achievement. My heartfelt condolences to you all.
Lindsay Rosa
October 23, 2012
Mrs. Fratturelli was a true gift. No one could make you feel as special, as talented, and as remarkable as she made you feel. She was so thoughtful, kind, and caring; encouraging you to soar to new heights. Some of my fondest memories of childhood, especially at Southeast School, include her. She was not only an exceptional teacher, but a wonderful person.
Thank you, Mrs. Fratturelli, for helping me to succeed!
Tony Vaccarino
October 23, 2012
Tricia, Leah and Matt...
Truth be told, your mother was one of the GREAT ones. Her name and memory will forever bring a smile to my face. I'm a better person for having known her and it's been my privilege to consider you three my dear friends. Love to you all.
-Tony Vaccarino
Steven DiPace
October 23, 2012
Tricia, Leah and Matthew:
We were so sorry to read of your Mother's passing. She was a very classy lady, a wonderful mother to the three of you, and an inspirational educator.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Steve and Gail DiPace
Kathy Hester
October 23, 2012
I am soooo sorry! My thoughts are with you during this incredibly tough time!!! Xooxoxoxo ...
Ken Meade
October 23, 2012
Tricia, Leah and Matthew, I am so sorry to read of your Mothers passing. I've known her since High School and always thought of her as a wonderful Wife, Mother and friend. I'm sure she will be missed by all who knew and loved her. God bless all of you.
October 23, 2012
To Matt, Lea and Trish and family,
I am so sorry to hear about your mom, I can't begin to imagine how you guys feel, but I know your strong and know that she is at peace and in a wonderful place! Be strong, I am praying for you all. Lots of love
Patricia Rumson (Bruwer)
Stephanie Corliss
October 23, 2012
Mrs. Fratturelli was by far my favorite teacher growing up. She was the most amazing, thoughtful, selfless and caring teacher I have ever met. She put her students needs first and was always proud of every single accomplishment we achieved. I still remember seeing her several days after I graduated with my Masters, and she gave me a huge hug, saying she knew I'd go far. I couldn't have done what I did without the support of teachers and professors like Mrs. Fratturelli. You will be missed.
Renee (Delaney) Tribou
October 23, 2012
As a former student of Mrs. Fratturelli at Southeast, I can say that she was an amazing educator who brought out the best in her students. My thoughts are with her famiy at this difficult time.
October 22, 2012
To Marilyn's Family,
We had the pleasure of meeting your mother several years ago while we were all in Florida. She was a terrific person and we greatly enjoyed her company. Please accept our deepest sympathies on her passing. She will be missed.
Pat & Dianne
Dawn Houle
October 22, 2012
As a former 5th grade student of Ms. Fratturelli and part of her gifted and talented program, my heartfelt sympathies go out to her family. She was a wonderful woman who always gave 100% for her students. God Bless. She will surely be missed by all.
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