Norton Obituary: Former Wheaton Professor Loretta A. Wawrzniak

From Scanlon Funeral Home:

Loretta A. Wawrzniak SPRINGFIELD Loretta A. Wawrzyniak, 88, died Monday, May 6, 2013 at Wingate of Springfield after a period of declining health. She was born on June 19, 1924, in Webster, the daughter of John and Stasia (Jablonski) Wawrzyniak. She graduated from St. Joseph Parochial School and Bartlett High School, both in Webster. She received a Bachelor of Arts (with honors) from Clark University, Worcester. She entered Harvard University in Cambridge in its first class of women in 1947. She received French Government Fellowships to study at the Sorbonne in Paris, France. Ms. Wawrzyniak was first an instructor78 of French and Spanish at Clark University and at the University of Oregon. She was then assistant professor of French at Wheaton College in Norton and at Tufts University. She went to Washington to work with the NAEA Foreign Language Institute Program in 1959. When the program was phased out, she remained in Washington as senior program director and section chief with programs awarding large grants to struggling colleges and universities. Before retiring, she was Director of Foundation Relations at Western New England University. She received the Palmes Academiques, a decoration from the French government for promoting French language and culture. She co-authored a French textbook entitled "Year Abroad." She leaves her beloved cats, John Boy and Zoe; a sister, Nancy Lamanna of Germantown, MD; her sister-in-law, Louise Wawrzyniak of St. Albans, VT; three Lamanna nephews and four Lamanna grand-nieces; and several cousins and many friends. Her brother Henry of St. Albans, VT died in 2009. Ms. Wawrzyniak had a lifelong interest in reading, travel, visiting museums, classical music and cats. She left an extensive collection of cat figurines. She was a member of the Springfield Museum, the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, and a charter member of the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family in Saint Joseph Garden of Peace, Webster. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society, PO Box 6307, Springfield, MA 01101. Arrangements are under the direction of Scanlon Funeral Service, 38 East Main St., Webster, MA. www.scanlonfs.com