Pauline Kowal

BARRE- Pauline Ann "Polly" Kowal, 80, beloved and passionate wife, mother, grandmother, professional nurse, community volunteer and lifelong friend to many, died peacefully August 28 in UMass Memorial Hospital in Worcester after a short illness, surrounded by her family. She was born January 23, 1937 in Ware, Mass. to the late Henry J. and Anne C. (Wilkauski) Puchalsky. She was the devoted and loving “bride” of 52 years to the late Michael C. Kowal, who died February 14, 2010. She leaves four children, Barbara Kowal (Nancy Walling) of Austin, Texas; Cindy Dobbin of Bedford, N.H., Michael Kowal (Shawna) of Barre and Kristin (David) Tebo of Oakham; and six grandchildren she adored – Nicholas (Kayleigh) and Alyssa Kowal, Brendan and Kerryn Dobbin and Charlotte and Matthew Tebo. She also leaves five sisters and brothers: Adrienne Andrukonis of Worcester, David H. Puchalsky of Yarmouth, Joseph P. Puchalsky of Athol, Barbara Narcisi of Rutland and Ann Whigham of Surprise, Arizona. She was predeceased by a beloved brother, Thomas Puchalsky, formerly of Worcester. A 1955 graduate of Barre High School, she then graduated from Worcester Hahnemann Hospital School of Nursing and went on to a career as a surgical nurse before stepping aside to raise her family. Later, she returned to nursing and found her calling as a nurse (and wonderful counselor) at Anna Maria College's Health Services. Her long-time community involvement included serving as a volunteer emergency technician and on the Board of Directors for the Barre Emergency and Rescue Squad. A lover of literature and reading, she also served on the Board of Trustees at the Barre Library Association (Woods Memorial Library). A woman of passion in all she did, Polly made deep and loyal connections with everyone she met, across all generations. A remarkable caretaker, she also was a woman who loved laughter, great conversations and celebrations and loved unconditionally. “They lived and laughed and loved and left.” - James Joyce Friends and family are invited to attend calling hours on Friday, September 1,2017 from 4-7 PM in Pillsbury Funeral Home 96 S.Barre Rd. Barre. The funeral will be held on Saturday with a Mass at 11:30AM in St. Josephs Church South St. Barre. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to: The QRHS Kowal/Puchalsky Scholar-Athlete Scholarship Fund c/o Kristin Tebo, 70 Bullard Road, Oakham, Mass. 01068 or the Barre Library Association, Woods Memorial Library,  P.O. Box 731, Barre, Mass. 01005.