Marie M. Konicki

Marie Melanie (Houle) Konicki age 79 of Park St., Putnam passed away Thursday November 21, holding hands with her husband of 60 years Lee "Noonie" Konicki Sr. Her son Lee Konicki Jr along with her daughter-in-law Annette Jakubisin Konicki and her granddaughters and their husbands Lauren and Evan Grasser, Erin Konicki and Zachary Sears, were by her side. Born Marie Melanie Houle on April 30, 1945, she was the daughter of the late Raymond and Cecile (Gauthier) Houle of Southbridge, MA. She met the love of her life, Noonie, at the Southbridge Dairy Queen in 1963 and they were married in 1964. They bought their first and only home in Putnam in 1968 and continued to love the community and its people 56 years later. Marie worked at Day Kimball Hospital in the Nutritional Services Department for 40 years retiring in 2010. She spent her retirement going to her granddaughters' athletic endeavors from rec league through college and all of their life events. She could always be counted on for encouragement and an emotional support grilled cheese. No Christmas Eve party was complete without her renowned lasagna and no summer gathering was without 10 pounds of her world's best potato salad. Marie could be seen frequenting the Hanover Theater with her brother-in-law, Fr. Bill Konicki, and friends or heading to the casinos to enjoy the slots. Marie loved jigsaw puzzles, making cards for every occasion, dancing, singing (not well), the Cape, Florida, travelling and Elvis. She embraced her French-Canadian heritage which manifested itself in her love of the frog of which she collected 1000's of in every shape, form, and size. Beyond all else, she loved spending time with family and friends. She was the rock that everyone leaned on and her laugh was infectious. She lived a charitable and humble but impactful life and despite nearly 80 years she is proof that time spent with your loved ones is not nearly enough. Her absence will be felt by everyone she knew. She is also survived by loving sisters Rose Houle, Theresa Lamontagne, Annette (Armand) Lamontagne, brother Wilfred Houle and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews and many honorary grand and great grandchildren. In typical Marie fashion she requested NO black be worn at her service. She asked that all wear "frog" green. In lieu of potluck meals, please consider dropping off alcohol to help us drown our sorrows! Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Marie's family on Monday December 2, 2024, from 4:00 to 7:00pm in the Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St. Putnam, CT. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at 10:00 am in Notre Dame Church, 446 Main St. Southbridge, MA. Donations may be made to Jolly John's Keep You Truckin Fund, PO Box 308, Columbia, CT 06237 or to the Holiday Gift Drive at the Putnam Family Resource Center, 33 Wicker St. Putnam, CT 06260. For memorial guestbook, visit www.GilmanAndValade.com