Barbara Ann Yablonski

Barbara Ann “Bubbie” (Borkowski) Yablonski, 77, of Gardner, passed away peacefully Saturday, October 22, 2022, at Lifecare Center of Leominster, after her battle with cancer.

Born in Charleroi, Pennsylvania on April 24, 1945, she was the daughter of the late Walter and Laura (Kowalczyk) Borkowski.

Barbara graduated from Gardner High School in 1963, and attended Fitchburg State University, earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Education in 1967. She worked in many schools in her career including Baldwinville Elementary School, Elm Street School in Gardner, Prospect School in Gardner, and Gardner Middle School teaching 6^th grade. She loved her students who all referred to her as Mrs. Y. and she eventually retired in 2008.

Bubbie cared for her community and was very active in it. She was a member of the Polish Americans Veteran Auxiliary, The Polish American Social League, The Rosary Sodality, Friends of the Library, the Massachusetts Teachers Association, the Warden of the 5A Election polls, and was a proud parishioner for the Holy Cross Church in East Templeton, MA, where she also served as a Lector. She had faith in every corner in her life, even becoming a Eucharistic Minister, and being the catechism director for the former St. Joseph’s Church in Gardner. She loved her trips to Cape Cod with her family, where they shared a timeshare home. She was an avid reader, enjoyed teddy bears, and cherished the time she spent with her family and friends.

Barbara is survived by her husband Edward S. Yablonski, who she shared 52 beautiful years of marriage with, their son, Michael Yablonski and his wife Christine of Gardner, her sister MaryAnn Zlotnik and her husband Michael of Gardner, and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral Services will be held Friday, October 28, 2022, with a Mass at 11:00 a.m. in Holy Cross Church, 25 Lake Avenue, East Templeton, MA. Burial will follow at Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 111 Glenallen Street, Winchendon, MA. Family and friends are asked to report directly to the church on the day of the service.

Calling Hours will be held Thursday, October 27, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Boucher Funeral Home, 110 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Holy Cross Church, 25 Lake Avenue, East Templeton, MA 01468. Please reference in memory of Barbara Ann Yablonski