Winchendon: On Wednesday, July 29th, 2026, Marypat (Gyscek) Velasco died from ALS in her home surrounded with love and of course her beloved Golden Retriever, Javier and grandkitty, Harpy.

Watching ALS take everything it did from the most lovely human has been harrowing but ALS did not win. Marypat never let it take anything she could control. She remained brave, generous, kind, never let ALS take away her ability to still find joy and *glimmers* in this life and remained herself every moment.

Born in Hyde Park, NY to her Parents, Mary Theresa and Michael Gyscek where she grew up with her four brothers in the house her father built. Beloved by everyone who knew her, Marypat was a dedicated, passionate nurse for 47.5 years. She was a fierce advocate for those she cared for and deeply felt the honor and responsibility of caring for others. Her career as a nurse took her all over the country meeting people from every walk of life and truly shaped the amazing person she was.

She has left behind her devoted Daughters, Meghan (Matt) Velasco, and Molly Velasco, her loving son, Ryan (Nicolette) Phillips and her many grandpups and grandkitties Duncan, Harpy, Drogro, Franky, Winnie, and Rigatoni who are devastated by this tremendous loss. She is survived by her Brothers, Michael (Diane) Gyscek, Gary (Donna) Gyscek, Tommy (Laurie) Gyscek, and Peter (Michele) Gyscek, Brother in law Michael (Susan) Velasco, Sister in law Sylvia (Vincente) Mendez and so many beloved nieces, nephews, grandnieces and nephews as well as her dearest lifelong friend Gail Andrews in addition to too many loved ones to name. Marypat is preceded in death by her former husband and father of her girls, Joe Velasco.

While Marypat was an incredible nurse she was an even better friend. She valued chosen family as the key to a happy and full life. If a friend needed her, she was there no questions asked.

Marypat was the best mother anyone could ask for. She sacrificed, worked hard and poured so much love into not only her children but all their friends and loved ones as well. She didn't always have much, but what she did have she felt was meant to be shared with others. Generous by nature she was quick to welcome those who needed family into hers.

She adopted senior golden retrievers because she wanted to give them a soft, warm and also completely spoiled existence for their golden years. Her children take great comfort that she will be reunited with her pack Teddy, Holly and Yogi. Her final golden rescue is Javier, a sassy blind dog who was her whole world. He will continue to be loved and spoiled by his sissy, Molly. There was never an animal that didn't love her, even her spicy grandkitty, Harpy gave in and became her constant loving companion and protector in Marypat's final years.

She loved gardening and caring for her beautiful house plants. She had a talent for making a house a home. Every year she picked out the saddest Christmas tree to come home with her. She loved music and always had it playing, her favorite song being Ventura Highway by America. She loved a crescent moon, fresh flowers and cows. She enjoyed great food and even better wine. She loved books and instilled that love of reading in her children. She was compassionate, open-minded, open hearted, extremely funny and stubborn as hell. She believed health care for all, nutritious food, clean water, stable housing, Indigenous sovereignty, environmental protection, equal rights for historically excluded people, a right to exist for lgbtqia+ folks and migration to all be fundamental human rights. She believed in living every moment of your life and she really did just that.

A Celebration of life for Marypat will be held in the Spring of 2027.  Details to come.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue, The Nature Conservancy, or No Kid Hungry.

The Daniel T. Morrill Funeral Home, 130 Hamilton St., Southbridge, is directing arrangements.