Ilona E. (Tucker) Blavackas, 71, of Gardner, formerly of both Holden and Barre, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday, February 28, 2019, after a long battle with multiple health issues.

She leaves behind her son, William, of Gardner and his children, Morgan, Teigan, Aidan, Koltan and Camdan Blavackas with whom she previously resided and her daughter, Paula, of Shrewsbury, and her husband Sean, and their sons, Brendan and Evan Lyonnais, with whom she most recently resided. She also leaves behind two sisters, Paula Tucker of Worcester and Carla DeVito and her husband John, of Dexter, ME, her sister-in-law Patricia (Blavackas) Poswiatoski of Southbridge, and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband of 32 years, Paul, in April of 2002 and a son, Richard Blavackas, who passed in infancy in 1974.

Ilona was born in Worcester on August 20, 1947, the oldest child of William and Ethel (Chesmadea) Tucker. She grew up in Rutland and greatly enjoyed participating in fife and drum corp, having been part of the Rutland Fife and Drum Corp and General Putnam’s Militia Fife and Drum Corp. After graduating from Wachusett Regional High School in 1965, she worked at State Mutual until 1972, just prior to the birth of her son. After getting married in 1970, she moved to Holden where she lived until 2000, moving to Barre in October. Ilona worked for George Luddy Chevrolet in Holden for 29 years as the office manager handling the accounting, receiving, registrations and payroll. She dearly loved all she worked with over her many years at Luddy’s. They were her extended family. While living in Barre, she worked at the corner store Needful Things, which became Barre General Store. She loved the interaction she had with the customers and many became good friends.

Ilona fiercely loved her family, especially her grandchildren. She spoke of them often, loved spending time with them, and most loved when she was able to reside with them all at some point. She was active in their upbringing, having cared for all of them in some manner or another. Ilona was a big personality and knew someone every where she went. She very much enjoyed talking with people, even random strangers. All who knew her, loved her. Over the years, there were many friends of her children that she became a surrogate mother to, many of whom referred to her as “Ma” or “Ma B.” Ilona enjoyed watching several sports but mostly the New England Patriots. She rarely missed a game and could often be found yelling at the TV.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of 7 ICU at UMass University campus in Worcester and Care Tenders of Westboro. Your genuine care and compassion for Ilona, as well as her family, can never be repaid.

Relatives and Friends are invited to visit with Ilona’s family from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m, on Wednesday March 6, 2019 the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. A private burial will take place in the Spring at Worcester County Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to UMass Heart and Vascular Center c/o Office of Advancement, UMass Memorial Medical Center, 333 South Street, Shrewsbury, MA 01545, www.umassmed.edu/give or to The American Heart Associaton, 300 5th Ave., Suite 6, Waltham, MA 02451.