Southbridge: Marion Lillian (Samuels) Pickarski, 101, of South St., passed away on Nov. 3rd, in Homestead Hall, Worcester.  Her husband, Norbert Joseph Pickarski, a local Southbridge dentist, died in 1998.  Marion leaves her three children, Susan Suriyapa of Pasadena, CA, Robert D. Pickarski of Pine City, MN and Karen A. Pickarski of Southbridge; a granddaughter, Lily Pickarski Futrell of Harris, MN; a nephew, Gregory Kuzia of Hardwick; her nieces, Christine Piekarski of Canton and Karen Hoffman; her two grandnephews, Michael Rada of Rockford, IL and Justin Piekarski of Canton and a grandniece, Maria Dimick of Normanna, TX. She was predeceased by a sister, Evangeline Stalla; her nephew, Charles Piekarski and a niece, Carole Stalla.

Marion was born in Chicago on March 30, 1923, the daughter of Anthony and Albina (Jurik) Samuels, from Czechoslovakia.  Marion was a secretary until she trained as a Registered Nurse with the Cadet Corps and graduated from Loyola University, Chicago in 1949. While an RN at University Hospital in Chicago, she met her future husband, who was studying dentistry at Loyola University. They married in 1952 and moved to Southbridge where Norbert opened a dental practice. Marion worked as an RN at Harrington Hospital in Southbridge before starting a family. She then managed her husband's dental practice.  Marion was secretary of the West Street PTA and Holy Rosary Society of St. Hedwig's Church.  She was a member of the YMCA's Silver Sneakers, Women's Club and League of Women's Voters.  A lifelong animal lover and advocate, she worked to establish the CAW, Citizens for Animal Welfare.  Marion was a fun-loving, joyous, and generous person, who could talk to anyone and easily made friends.  Her children recall that their classmates really came to their home to visit their mom because "she was so much fun!"

Marion's memorial service and burial will be private. There are no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Marion's memory to North Shore Animal League America https://www.animalleague.org/