Lillian E. Malkowski

Nashua – Lillian Eva (LaForte) Malkowski, 94, died at St. Joseph’s Hospital after a brief illness February 20, 2011. The family thanks all those at St. Joseph’s particularly Dr Gould and the Emergency Department team and most especially Drs Rahman and Chandra and the entire 4 North Team for superb care and concern for Lillian and family.
Lillian was born in Worcester, MA, January 25, 1917 the eldest child of the late Alfred J LaForte, Sr and Lillian V (Tetu) LaForte Banfill. She was predeceased by her husband Louis in 1968 after nearly 32 years of happy marriage, her friend and companion Edward F Twombly, parents Lillian and Alfred , stepfather LeRoss Banfill, sisters Alice Buckley, Corinne Glister, brother Alfred J La Forte, Jr, in-laws John and Rosalia Malkowski, brother / sister-in-law Henry Malkowski, Helen ( Strzelewicz) St.Germain.
She is survived by her son John with whom she made her home, sister-in-law Elizabeth Malkowski of Oxford ,MA, stepsister Jean Drake of Charlton, MA , many nieces, nephews, grand nieces , grand nephews and friends in Europe, the Middle East, Asia/Pacific and the USA.
Lillian was devoted to her family, left high school to help her mother support and raise her siblings. Later she used her considerable sewing skills to make clothes for her husband and son as well as her nieces and nephews. She loved to cook, collected recipes and delighted in preparing meals for the annual Malkowski family gatherings especially the “secret” Polish kapusta/cabbage recipe given to her by Louis’ aunt.
She was proud of her speed in piece work making toggle switches at Culver Sterns before WWII and when returning to the work force after Louis’ death in the Grafton Mart, Paul Revere Insurance Co and as Asst to the Dietician overseeing the food preparation and serving to some 3500-4000 Westboro State Hospital patients. When asked how she could work there she replied “there but for the grace of God go I”.
A city girl, growing up in Worcester MA, she adapted to country life in Oxford MA and Upton MA but returned to Worcester in retirement. She moved to Singapore (1988-1996) and Geneva, Switzerland (1996-2001) to be with her son until returning to the States and settling in Nashua NH.
Lillian’s Catholic Christian faith was paramount to her whole being: a daily Mass participant, president of the Upton Holy Angel’s Ladies Altar Sodality, a helper at Mother Teresa’s home for abandoned elderly in Singapore and as a donor to many charitable missions in the US and abroad. She was an avid reader relishing a gripping mystery which she would read through the night to its finish. Although a homebody she enjoyed travelling , the seeds of which were planted when driving with baby John in tow to Louis’ WWII military postings in South Carolina and Pennsylvania.
She was a very private person but will be remembered for her welcoming and caring concern for all with whom she came in contact as well as for living her motto “Bloom where you are planted”.
Services: At Lillian’s request there are no calling hours. All are requested to meet at the church. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Friday, February 25, 2011 at 10:00am in Immaculate Conception Church, 216 East Dunstable Road, Nashua, NH 03062. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday February 26, 2011, at 10:00am, in Holy Angels Church, 1 Milford St, Upton, MA 01568 with burial to follow in Lakeview Cemetery, Upton. In lieu of flowers donations are requested in her memory to Corpus Christi Food Pantry and Assistance, Inc, 43 Franklin St, Nashua, NH 03064-2659, (www.Corpuschristifoodpantry.org) or Nashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter, Inc, 42 Chestnut Street, PO Box 3116, Nashua, NH 03061(www.NSKS.org). The Cremation Society of New Hampshire (603-622-1800) is in charge of arrangements. To view an on-line obituary and memorial please go to www.csnh.com.