Mrs. Mack's Bakery Owner Dies

Each week, Grafton Patch lists the obituaries of those with a local connection. If you know of someone not listed here, please tell us in the comments.

Donald F. McAvey, 89, born August 19, 1922, in Worcester, son of the late
William F. and Gertrude A. (Dillon) McAvey passed away at home Tuesday May 22, 2012 in the care of his wife and family.

He leaves his wife of 63 years, Frances M. (Tighe) McAvey, and eleven children: Mora F. McAvey, M. Sheila McAvey and her husband Daniel Rose, Eileen F. McAvey, Shawn P. McAvey and his wife Carol Jean, Michael McAvey and his wife Donna, Siubhan "Bonnie" McAvey-Luperchio and her husband Ronald, Murdoch G. McAvey, Sr., and his wife Maritza, Grainne A. McAvey, Rebecca A. Leovich, Martin McAvey, Brigid K. Gore and her husband Richard; 20 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; one sister, Virginia M. Deso Becker. He was predeceased by his daughter Monica M. McAvey in 2011, his brother William D. McAvey in 1995, and his granddaughter Brianna McAvey in 1989.

Donald and his wife Frances owned and operated Mrs. Mack's Bakery on Grafton Street in Worcester, the family business established by his parents in 1929, until retiring and passing it on to their children.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday May 25th at 10 am in Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 1290 Grafton St. at Blithewood Avenye in Worcester. Everyone will meet at the church. There will be no gathering at the funeral home Friday morning before the mass. He will be laid to rest privately in St. John's Cemetery in Worcester.

Arrangements were handed by

Margaret J. (McAvoy) Rhodes Nelson, 72, of North Grafton, passed away surrounded by loved ones on May 13, 2012 in Utica, N.Y.

Peggy, as she was known by her friends and family, was born in Worcester on Aug. 5, 1939. As a child, she was an active member in her community, active in the Girl Scouts, the Civil Air Patrol and singing in the choir of St. Andrew's. She attended Grafton High School and received her bachelor's degree from Worcester State College.

Peggy married her first love, Paul M. Rhodes in 1963 and had two daughters, Heather and Kathleen, before his death in 1968. Peggy was blessed to find love a second time, marrying Carl G. Nelson in 1989. Gus, as her second husband was known, passed away in 1992. Peggy retired and moved to Utica, N.Y. to be close to family.

She is survived by her two daughters; Heather Lofgren and Kathleen O'Goley; her sister, Dorothy McAvoy; her grandchildren, Cory Lacasse, P. Gustaf Aslanian, Alayna Lofgren and Kyle Lofgren, as well as nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 26 at 11 a.m. at Roney Funeral Home 152 Worcester Street North Grafton, MA 01536. Burial will take place immediately after at Pine Grove Cemetery in North Grafton, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Massachusetts Clubhouse Coalition, Inc. 15 Vernon St., Waltham, MA 02453.