Obituary for Eleanor M. (Wysocki) Wall
Eleanor M. Wall (Wysocki) of Shrewsbury passed away on Sunday, July 10, 2022, one week to the day after her 93rd birthday. Eleanor was the beloved matriarch of a large family, which she lovingly shepherded alongside her husband, Russell A. Wall, who predeceased her in 2009. She is survived by her children, Russell Wall, Jr. and his wife, Robin; Stephen Wall and his wife, Joy; Tracy Wall; Richard Wall and his wife, Denise, all of Shrewsbury; Jeffrey Wall of Harwich; Valerie Wall-Turney and her husband, Jack Turney, of Rye, New York; and Kelley Wall and her husband, Terry Pillow, of Montecito, California. An adoring and involved grandmother and great-grandmother, Eleanor was affectionately called “Gram,” by her 17 grandchildren who are named here: Russell, Jennifer, Andrew, Sean, Sarah, Philip, Aaron, William, Stephen, Candace, Courtney, Renee, Jacqueline, Kirsten, Brianna, Alexandra, and Sam. She was simply, “GiGi” to 12 great-grandchildren. They are Diana, Russell, Tyler, Rylie, Pierce, Mackenzie, Madison, Ayden, Cameron, Ashlynn, Greyson and Logan. Eleanor was thrilled with the news the latter group would soon be expanding, with three more babies expected by the end of this year.
Eleanor was born in Shrewsbury on July 3, 1929, the daughter of Walter and Mary (Slatkeviecz) Wysocki, where she lived her entire life. Her parents emigrated from Poland and Lithuania, respectively, and met and married in America after traveling alone overseas. Eleanor grew up with four siblings on Plainfield Avenue. There she enjoyed the idylls of Jordan Pond, swimming in summer and ice skating in winter. As a girl, she loved school and was always eager to learn something new, excelling in the classroom. Eleanor was gifted with a beautiful voice, and was often asked to perform for her classmates. Her passion for singing continued for decades, and she lent her talent to the St. Anne’s Church choir as a long-time member with her husband. Singing for the Lord brought them great joy and deepened their faith. St. Anne’s Parish was where Eleanor was christened and, more notably, where she wed the love of her life in September 1950, a blessed marriage that lasted 58 years.
“Elly” was the endearing nickname her closest friends and family called her, and she was elated when they would visit. This included nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws. They were at the center of Elly’s universe, and her heart, and she rarely declined an opportunity to host gatherings large and small. In Elly’s home, all were welcome. Holidays were spectacular feasts, with tables set for as many as 35.
Elly was a member of the Shrewsbury Garden Club. Blessed with a green thumb and a sunny window, she was incredible with nurturing almost expired plants, willing them to survive until Spring. In addition, Elly served as President of the Shrewsbury Women’s Club, and later as Director, where she made significant contributions to the mission and vitality of the organization. However, it was her high school girlfriends’ “club” she enjoyed the most, where she shared the cheerful camaraderie of her “best friends forever.”
Following graduation from Major Beal Senior High School in 1947, Eleanor worked as a secretary in Worcester. After marrying, she applied these skills to the family business, Wall Trucking, which Russell incorporated in 1943. She worked happily with Russ for more than 30 years while building their family, and juggling her household responsibilities and social commitments.
Above all else, Elly loved family. Her days and weeks were filled with attending school programs, dance recitals, sporting events, birthday parties, parades, weddings, christenings, communions, confirmations and pretty much anything that involved family. Summer meant spending time on Cape Cod, in the Harwich Port home with her children and extended family. She cherished every minute on the Cape, and kept a calendar and bed list for the greatest of get-togethers from June to September, especially a traditional Fourth of July with cousins. Today, Elly’s family considers these summers one of their greatest gifts.
In addition to her husband, Eleanor was predeceased by her siblings Edward Wysocki, Olga Halpin, Gen Putelis, and Robert Wysocki; and her daughter in-law, Deborah Wall (Londo).
Calling hours will be held Thursday, July 14th from 4-7 P.M. at Britton- Shrewsbury Funeral Home, 648 Main Street, Shrewsbury. A funeral Mass celebrating Eleanor will be held on Friday, July 15th at 11 A.M. at Saint Anne’s Parish, 130 Boston Turnpike Rd, Shrewsbury, and a burial immediately following at Mountain View Cemetery, Shrewsbury. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations may be made to JHC at www.jhccenter.org/make-a-donation or to St. Anne’s Parish, Attn: Human Services, 130 Boston Tpke, Shrewsbury, MA 01545.
Eleanor was born in Shrewsbury on July 3, 1929, the daughter of Walter and Mary (Slatkeviecz) Wysocki, where she lived her entire life. Her parents emigrated from Poland and Lithuania, respectively, and met and married in America after traveling alone overseas. Eleanor grew up with four siblings on Plainfield Avenue. There she enjoyed the idylls of Jordan Pond, swimming in summer and ice skating in winter. As a girl, she loved school and was always eager to learn something new, excelling in the classroom. Eleanor was gifted with a beautiful voice, and was often asked to perform for her classmates. Her passion for singing continued for decades, and she lent her talent to the St. Anne’s Church choir as a long-time member with her husband. Singing for the Lord brought them great joy and deepened their faith. St. Anne’s Parish was where Eleanor was christened and, more notably, where she wed the love of her life in September 1950, a blessed marriage that lasted 58 years.
“Elly” was the endearing nickname her closest friends and family called her, and she was elated when they would visit. This included nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws. They were at the center of Elly’s universe, and her heart, and she rarely declined an opportunity to host gatherings large and small. In Elly’s home, all were welcome. Holidays were spectacular feasts, with tables set for as many as 35.
Elly was a member of the Shrewsbury Garden Club. Blessed with a green thumb and a sunny window, she was incredible with nurturing almost expired plants, willing them to survive until Spring. In addition, Elly served as President of the Shrewsbury Women’s Club, and later as Director, where she made significant contributions to the mission and vitality of the organization. However, it was her high school girlfriends’ “club” she enjoyed the most, where she shared the cheerful camaraderie of her “best friends forever.”
Following graduation from Major Beal Senior High School in 1947, Eleanor worked as a secretary in Worcester. After marrying, she applied these skills to the family business, Wall Trucking, which Russell incorporated in 1943. She worked happily with Russ for more than 30 years while building their family, and juggling her household responsibilities and social commitments.
Above all else, Elly loved family. Her days and weeks were filled with attending school programs, dance recitals, sporting events, birthday parties, parades, weddings, christenings, communions, confirmations and pretty much anything that involved family. Summer meant spending time on Cape Cod, in the Harwich Port home with her children and extended family. She cherished every minute on the Cape, and kept a calendar and bed list for the greatest of get-togethers from June to September, especially a traditional Fourth of July with cousins. Today, Elly’s family considers these summers one of their greatest gifts.
In addition to her husband, Eleanor was predeceased by her siblings Edward Wysocki, Olga Halpin, Gen Putelis, and Robert Wysocki; and her daughter in-law, Deborah Wall (Londo).
Calling hours will be held Thursday, July 14th from 4-7 P.M. at Britton- Shrewsbury Funeral Home, 648 Main Street, Shrewsbury. A funeral Mass celebrating Eleanor will be held on Friday, July 15th at 11 A.M. at Saint Anne’s Parish, 130 Boston Turnpike Rd, Shrewsbury, and a burial immediately following at Mountain View Cemetery, Shrewsbury. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations may be made to JHC at www.jhccenter.org/make-a-donation or to St. Anne’s Parish, Attn: Human Services, 130 Boston Tpke, Shrewsbury, MA 01545.