Marian G. Tyminski

Marian (McGivern) Tyminski, an active volunteer in many local and National organizations, never let Parkinson disease slow her down. She could always be counted on to lend a hand no matter how much work was involved.

A resident of Reading, Mass, Marian died Thursday at Kindred Hospital after eighteen years of battling Parkinson's disease. To the end she astonished everyone at how brave and strong she was.

She was born in Watertown and grew up there and Winchester. She moved to Reading in 1956.

When Marian's son entered the first grade at St. Agnes it was here that she began her long "career" of Volunteer Services. She started selling Christmas Cards to raise funds for the School. She served on the Saint Agnes Guild and helped to organize and run many of the Schools fairs, toy sales and lunch programs. She became a fourth grade teacher at the school and after the birth of her daughter continued to substitute until the school closed. Marian took on the task of leading the first Girl Scout Troop for the school. It was through the Girls Scouts, that she met another Troop Leader who was active in the Reading Woman's Club and launched her on a career of service in the General Federation of Women's Clubs.

Marian joined the Reading Woman's Club in 1963 and held the office of secretary, 2nd, and 1st vice president and was elected president in 1973. She stayed very active in this group, even working on parts of their recent 110th anniversary celebration from her hospital bed. The club recognized her for all her efforts by naming her club woman of the year in 2003.

At the same time she was serving as president Marian was elected to serve on the Board of the Massachusetts State Federation of Women's Club as Corresponding Secretary. She was appointed to be the GFWC Veterans Representative to work with the Bedford VA Hospital, a position she held until 1996.

Marian served as the Treasurer of the GFWC-MA. Marian considers one her greatest honors being elected Eighth District Director from 1980-1982 and Sixth District Director from 1986-1988. Marian has served many administrations as chairman of numerous committees including but not limited to Meetings, Conventions, Veteran's, and International Affairs. Other GFWC-MA clubs she was involved in were the Past President's Club, Council Club, Directors Club, Past Chairman's Club, Boston Parliamentary Law Club, The Presidents Club of Mass, the 6th District Presidents', the 8th District President's Club, and the Ladies' Physiological Institute. Most of these she served as President at one time or other. For all her many hours of dedication to the organization she was elected General Federation of Women's Club member of the year in 2000.

Marian became a volunteer driver and arts and crafts teacher for the Senior Citizens of Reading. When the Council on Aging was formed, Marian was appointed Executive Secretary by the Board of Selectman. This entailed programming of all classes, hiring instructors, arranging rides for Doctors visits and shopping trips. She was instrumental in forming The Patrons for Older Adults, an organization to meld the seniors and younger adults, and served as its first Director. Serving the special Christmas Dinner was all part of being an active member.

Since the Council on Aging shared an office with the Red Cross, Marian became active in this organization. She became a volunteer driver to the Boston and area hospitals and worked at numerous Blood Mobiles. Later she served on the Red Cross Board representing Reading and was Fundraising Chairman. She volunteered with this group for over 30 years.

With her interest in the Council on Aging, Children and town affairs she ran and was elected as a Town Meeting member serving two four year terms.

Marian was a member and past regent of the Catholic Daughters of America, Court Reading #438 serving three terms as Regent. She was extremely active in this organization running numerous dinners for the entire Court and organizing fundraisers such as fashion shows.

Her avid love of gardening led her to join the Reading Garden Club where she served as Treasurer and on Ways and Means. She worked on many plant sales, holiday bazaars, and loved working on the plantings at the Parker Tavern and the train station in Reading. Marian was a licensed real estate woman working at Caleb Pierce Real Estate, the firm her father founded in Reading. In 1982 Marian received the Outstanding Women's Award from the Reading Business and Professional Women's Club.

She has been active in her church serving on the Parish Council as Christian Service chairman, and as a Lector and a Religious Education instructor.

When asked why she undertook an office or chaired a committee, she would reply "Someone has to do it!'

Marian is survived by her Husband of 51 years, Chester, her son Stephen Sr. and his wife Marie of Lincoln, Rhode Island and her daughter Elizabeth (Lisa) and her fiance Michael F. Kelley of Boston. She leaves a grandson, Stephen Jr. of Lincoln, Rhode Island, a brother, Gene McGivern of Kingston, MA and 16 nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 at 10:30am in St. Agnes Church, 186 Woburn St. Reading. Family and friends are kindly invited to attend visiting hours Monday 2-4 & 7-9pm in the Joseph Doherty Funeral Home 11 Linden St. READING. Interment will be in Forest Glen Cemetery, Reading.

Donations in memory of Marian may be made to the American Parkinson's Disease Association Massachusetts Chapter 720 Harrison Avenue, Suite 707 Boston, MA 02118 or to the Hospice House of Reading, c/o of VNA of Middlesex East and Visiting Nurse Hospice 607 North Ave., Suite 17 Wakefield, MA 01880.