Grace Avery Mackiewicz died peacefully Monday Sept 24 surrounded by loved ones. She would have been 90 on October 8 but in her last year her motto had become “never ninety!” and she won.
Grace was born and raised in Whitman; she was christened Agnes Grace, but always preferred Grace. She spent her married life with Francis S. Mackiewicz in Abington, raising four daughters. She taught at Abington Elementary Schools for over three decades, where she was an inspiring teacher to many of the town’s children (and even some adults) with her deep well of knowledge ranging from the classics, to music to English grammar. She was an avid reader and known for keeping an open mind, her appreciation for travel and in later years her support for the Abington Public Library and PBS.
She was an alumna of Regis College in Weston where she earned her BA in English Literature and her MA in Special Education. Her thesis was titled “Using Humor as a Tool in the Cognitive Assessment of the Child”. Grace had the special gift of making and keeping friends for life. For
the past twenty years, she has resided in Woodsburgh Condominiums in Rockland. She will be missed by all her loved her.
She was predeceased by her husband Francis Mackiewicz, her daughter Jane M. Downes, her sister, Sister Marylena, CSJ and her brother, Walter “Buddy” Avery.
She is survived by Christina McMahon of Abington and her husband James; Andrea Mackiewicz of Dairen, CT and her husband William Looney; and Marynia Mackiewicz of Cambridge; and four grandsons – James McMahon of Chicago, IL, Michael McMahon of Abington, Colin McMahon of North Quincy and Francis William Downes of Cape Elizabeth, ME, currently on active duty with Marine Corps.
A private memorial service will be held on October 20, 2018. Anyone who wishes is encouraged to make a donation in Grace’s name to the Abington Public Library, 500 Gliniewicz St, Abington, MA 02351.