WORCESTER__Antonia M.(Glavickas) Wackell, 100, formerly of 145 College St., passed away at Radius Healthcare, 119 Providence St, on Wednesday, June 28. Her husband of 63 years, Stanley J. Wackell died in 1989.
She is survived by her children, Richard S. Wackell and his wife Rita of Auburn and Vivian T. Jakubaitis and her husband Stanley of Wethersfield, CT; two grandsons, Dr. Steven Jakubaitis of Punta Gorda, FL, and Richard S. Wackell of Shrewsbury; a granddaughter, Sharon A. Bangs of Charlton; three great-grandsons, Michael, Matthew and Jason and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her sisters, Martha Phillips and Julia Karpawich both of Worcester. Antonia was predeceased by her brothers, Joseph and Mathew Glavickas. Antonia was born in Worcester, August 7, 1905, daughter of Joseph and Michaline (Kvietkauskas) Glavickas. Mrs. Wackell graduated from Classical High School in 1924 and was named class artist. She studied art at the School of Practical Art, Boston where her works received many awards. A life long active member of Our Lady of Vilna Church, Mrs. Wackell served ten years as chairman of the annual suppers for 500-700 people. She also served as chairman for two receptions for newly ordained clergy. The parish council voted in 1974 to publish a commemorative book in English and Lithuanian, of which Mrs. Wackell wrote the history. The book was completed and published for the golden Jubilee on May 25, 1975. When Bishop John J. Wright arrived as the first bishop of the new Diocese of Worcester in January of 1950, the Diocesan League of Catholic Women was created to include all diocesan women’s organizations. After serving as chairman of the Delegates Kits, Opening Exercises and Exhibits, she was appointed first vice-chairman of the League’s Annual Congress in 1955 and chairman of the Fifth Diocesan Congress in 1956. Always active, Mrs. Wackell served 26 years on the Board of Corporation of Saint Vincent Hospital, Secretary of the Advisory Board at Mount Saint Ann Orphanage and 14 years as a Trustee of Grafton State Hospital. She was a lifelong member of the Knights of Lithuania. As a member of the Guild of Our Lady of Providence of St. Vincent Hospital, she served as Corresponding Secretary, Chairman of Volunteer Services and was Chairman of the Eighth Fall Assembly in 1975, proceeds of which benefited the hospital. She served as Chairman of the Book Committee -“The Church of Worcester, New England” with a foreword by Bishop Wright, written by John G. Deedy, then editor of the Catholic Free Press and illustrated by artist Jack Frost, proceeds of which were used to build a nurses’ training school.
When censor boards prevailed in cities, Mrs. Wackell served as Secretary of the Worcester Motion Picture and Theatre Review Board until they were informed that censor boards were illegal. Antonia’s annual Christmas cards have been enthusiastically received by many family and friends for many years. Always original, the cards were illustrated and verse written by her. A prolific writer, poet and translator, many of her articles and poems have been published in the Worcester Telegram, Hartford Courant, “The Vytis” (monthly magazine of the Knights of Lithuania) the American – Lithuanian Women’s Alliance Newsletters, Boston Globe’s “Confidential Chat” (under a pen name) and the Bay Leaf (Marywood College Quarterly).
The funeral Mass for Antonia Wackell will be celebrated in Our Lady of Vilna Church, 151 Sterling St., on Saturday July 1, at 10:30 am. Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery. Calling hours in HENRY – DIRSA FUNERAL HOME, 33 Ward St., are Friday, June 30, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.