Charlton - Emily "Mimi" Strack, 79, of Charlton, passed away peacefully on Sept. 9th  after a courageous battle with cancer.

Mimi was born on March 13, 1945 in Southbridge, MA and lived in the Sturbridge area for most of her life. After graduating from high school she obtained a degree in Biology/Chemistry and spent several years working in industry.  In 1967, she married Richard "Dick" Strack. They went on to have two amazing children, Elizabeth and Jonathan.

Mimi discovered a passion for quilting after the birth of her first child. She followed her passion and went on to designing quilts and teaching in community centers, quilt shops, and craft schools in Massachusetts and Vermont, and serving as a quilt judge. She made hundreds of quilts for the Linus Project for sick children and for Quilts of Valor for military veterans. She was an inspiration to many.

She enjoyed walking 10km routes in states from Massachusetts to California and from Maine to Florida, was an avid reader, and especially loved singing for many years in the choir at St. Joseph Church in Charlton.

In their later years Mimi and Dick moved to The Overlook in Charlton where Mimi was very involved in various committees and activities. She was grateful to have so many wonderful friends.

The family especially thanks the entire Overlook team for their compassionate care over the last several months.

Mimi was predeceased by her parents John and Pauline (Paquette) Despres. She is survived by her loving husband Dick of Charlton, daughter Elizabeth Pimentel and her husband Paul of West Warwick, RI, son Jonathan and his partner Jason Dudley of Durham, NC., brother Paul Despres of Southbridge, and sister Irene Christofferson and her husband Jack of Baxter, MN.  Mimi leaves two beloved grandchildren, Julia of Phoenix, AZ and Christopher of West Warwick, RI.

A Funeral Mass for Mimi will be celebrated on Saturday, Sept. 21st at 11:00 AM in St. Joseph Church, 10 H. Putnam Rd. Ext., Charlton.  Burial will follow in West Ridge Cemetery, Charlton.  Calling hours in the church will be held on Saturday, Sept. 21st, from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM prior to the Mass.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Joseph Church, 10 H. Putnam Rd. Ext., Charlton, MA 01507.