EVELYN A. FORTIER (SKRZYNIARZ)

     Evelyn A (Skrzyniarz) Fortier, 90, died Christmas morning after a brief stay at the Rose Monahan Hospice Home. Evelyn lived at the Tatnuck Park at Worcester assisted living facility since, Aug. 2018.

Evelyn, who was born in Wallingford, Ct., was the daughter of Anna Szumna. She grew up in West Springfield, Ma. and moved to Worcester in 1957.

She was married to Henry J. Fortier Jr., who died in January 2004, for 54 years.

Evelyn leaves her son William H. Fortier and his wife Kathleen Sabina of Auburn, her daughter Francine and husband Rohit Vakil of Shrewsbury, her grandson Ketan Vakil and his wife Elizabeth and great grandson Milo of New York City, her granddaughter Monica Vakil-Dewar and her husband Michael and great grandson Alasdair of London, England.

Evelyn worked for many years as a senior clerk in the medical records department at the then UMASS Medical Center where she enjoyed interacting with lawyers and others seeking medical records and information. She also worked in the produce department at the former Fortin’s Market in Worcester where she had a conversation with the late Frank Perdue.

Evelyn also had a vivid memory of the day in the 1940s when Frank Sinatra stopped by the former Forbes and Wallace Department Store in Springfield.

Evelyn was a long-time parishioner at the then St. Bernard’s and St. George’s churches in Worcester.

Evelyn loved her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Evelyn loved animals, especially dogs and particularly miniature dachshunds. She also had the proverbial green thumb and for years she had a healthy tomato crop that was enjoyed by the neighborhood chipmunks she routinely fed. When a moose wandered down her street in the north part of Worcester about 20 years ago she tried feeding it an apple because she thought it may have been hungry. Evelyn loved driving around in her Buick Lacrosse and took pride one day in saying she had never turned the radio on in the more than 10 years she owned the vehicle.

Evelyn enjoyed traveling with her husband and she was an avid reader and movie buff. She was a cookie baker extraordinaire and her treasure balls and rum balls were among the highlights of many holiday seasons..

The family would like to thank everyone at the Tatnuck Park At Worcester assisted living facility for their kindness and expertise, the JHC Hospice, particularly her nurse Marlene, and the Rose Monahan Hospice Home.

Contributions in Evelyn’s memory can be made to The One Fund at Tatnuck Park at Worcester, 340 May St. 01602 and the Worcester Animal Rescue League, 139 Holden St., Worcester, Ma. 01606.

Funeral arrangements are under the care of the Henry-Dirsa Funeral Home, 33 Ward Street. Private services for the family will be held at a later date.