Yarmouth Port, MA – Marion T. (Meehan) Armstrong passed away peacefully at home on Monday, January 9, 2017, with loving family and friends at her side. She was born to James and Helen (Fitzgerald) Meehan in Westfield, MA on October 18, 1927, one of two children. She grew up in Westfield and attended St. Mary’s Elementary and High School. Her exceptional musical talent brought her to the stage early in life and she spent many of her formative years performing throughout the Berkshires as a solo dancer and singer both on stage and local radio programs. She was an excellent student and involved in many extra-curricular activities. Upon her graduation she received a full four year scholarship to the College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee where she received a Bachelor of Science Degree, with honors, in Chemistry and Biology.
In 1948 she began her life-long career as an elementary educator in the Westfield School System. She began at Mosley School as a 3rd grade teacher, continued for many years as a music teacher “over the river”, and ended her career back at Highland Ave School. She loved teaching and was famous for her candy jar and school musical productions.
In 1951 she married long time beau James J. Armstrong, Jr. They settled in Westfield and raised their four children. She was an active member of St. Mary’s Parish where she volunteered as Director of the High Choir for over 30 years. She and Jim had a close knit group of friends who often volunteered to run parish dinners, community musicals and special events at the Sons of Erin. She had a special gift of drawing people to her and helping them reach their full potential.
In 1980 they retired to Falmouth on Cape Cod and she began an active and full retirement as one of the first Volunteers In Public Schools, a docent at the Falmouth Playhouse, Falmouth Historical Society and a member of the Saints and Singers. When Jim developed Alzheimer’s they returned to Westfield where she cared for him at home until he was admitted into the Holyoke Soldiers Home. She traveled every day for 6 years to visit him and led the effort to have Governor Swift add central air conditioning to the facility.
She started a chorus wherever she landed and gave the gift of music and laughter to so many people during her lifetime. She spent many winters in Florida, first in Largo with Jim and afterwards in Fort Meyers Beach before finally settling in Nokomis where she could be close to her friend Helen Farrell. She spent the warmer months in Westfield where she was President of the Woodland Terrace Condo Association and served on the Westfield Council On Aging. She was a tireless advocate for the development of the new Senior Center. Her final destination was Cape Cod where she began the Yarmouth Senior Center Chorus before settling into Heatherwood at Kings Way. Within months of moving in she had yet another chorus formed and practicing. Her last performance was on December 5, 2016 where she directed the chorus at the Christmas Tree Celebration.
Marion was preceded in death by her husband James and her oldest child, Kathleen Ann. She is survived by her sons James J., III (Vangie), Robert E. (Cindy), her daughter Patricia M. (Bea), her grandchildren Maureen Donovan(Jim), Brian Cox (Jess),Kade Wolfley (Helen), Michael Armstrong, Matthew Armstrong and her great grandchildren Grace and James Cox and Sophie Donovan. She had numerous loving nieces and nephews who remained close and gave her great comfort over the years. She is also survived by her many friends from Bay Lakes, St. Pius X 9 O’Clockers, and the Heatherwood Girls Dinner Club.
The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to all of her wonderful caregivers, and Dr. Rosa Moncholi, who lovingly cared for Marion after her stroke and during her journey with pancreatic cancer.
Visiting hours will be held on Thursday January 12, from 4 – 7 pm at the Morris, O’Connor &Blute Funeral Home, 58 Long Pond Dr., South Yarmouth, MA.
Visiting hours will also be held on Friday January 13, from 4 – 7 pm at the Firtion Adams Funeral Home, 76 Broad Street, | Westfield, MA. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday January 14, at 10 am at Saint Mary’s Church, Bartlett St., Westfield. Burial will follow at Saint Mary’s Cemetery, Westfield.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to VNA Hospice of Cape Cod, CCHC Foundation, P.O. Box 370, Hyannis, MA 02601 or St. Mary’s Parish School, Advancement Program, 86 Mechanic Street, Westfield, MA 01085. For online condolences, please visit www.morrisoconnorblute.com.
