Sunderland, MA – Nellie [Wanczyk] Matysiewicz passed away quietly after listening one last time to her favorite music box with her son, Edwin Matysiewicz on May 25. 2026 at 12:16 am in Cooley Dickinson Hospital.
Nellie was born on December 5, 1925 to Josef Wanczyk and Mary Samolewicz in Hadley Mass at home.
She is predeceased by her husband Edwin, her parents, sisters Anne, Mary, and brothers Tony, Michael, Joe, John, and Eddie, her son-in-law Mark Maroni, and grand dog Scotty.
Nellie is survived by daughters Deborah Maroni, Susan Matysiewicz, son Edwin, and many nieces and nephews. Nellie also enjoyed the friendship of Richard (Bergie) and his beloved dog Tina.
Nellie was a family leader, working tirelessly six and a half days a week running the family roadside stand selling asparagus, cukes, potatoes, tomatoes, apples, cherries, and corn. Annie and Nellie also made apple pies, cherry pies, cherry and apple cookies and cherry chocolate ice cream for sale.
Nellie would also milk their two cows to get about 40 pounds of milk and take it to the smith farm to feed 35 baby cows. Nellie was paid $75 for that task. Josef paid Nellie $15 for that work, and $60 went to support the Wanczyk family.
Nellie witnessed and participated actively in the technological advancement of America in her 100 years: as a toddler Nellie would go to church in Northampton in a horse and buggy with her parents, which took an hour each way. In 1930 Nellie’s mother traveled to Poland to sell the family land. When Mary returned, the Wanczyk family purchased a house with new technology features: indoor plumbing, a bathroom with a toilet, a bathtub [with shower], electricity, and a telephone. To recoup part of his new house cost Joseph charged the neighbors that showed up to use the telephone.
Joseph purchased a Cadillac, so then the family could quicky go to church and shopping. They also had a barn rising in the yard one day after church for their new car.
Nellie attended Hopkins academy where she was on the cheerleading squad, then graduated in 1943, and went on to attend Northampton Commercial College. While attending NCC, Nellie was recruited by Borawski Insurance and subsequently accepted a position with Borawski Insurance after NCC graduation. As a successful NCC college graduate, Nellie purchased her own 1940 Ford Standard car to commute to work.
Nellie loved dancing, and met Edwin Matysiewicz at the White Eagle dance, and married him on November 22,1949. Nellie and Ed Traveled to many area polka dances throughout the years in Three Rivers, Ludlow, and Ocean Beach. The newlyweds moved into the upstairs apartment of the 1823 Sunderland house, and welcomed Edwin Jr on December 21,1950 into their family. The couple decided to build their own house in 1953 and took up residence in July 1953. Nellie honed her carpentry skills during the construction of their new house. The couple welcomed daughters Deborah, and Susan into their family.
Nellie was active in the Saint Stanislaus church for decades by participating in the Saint Ann’s Sodality, sang in the Sunday St. Cecilia’s choir, worked at the church bingo fundraisers, baked goods for the bingo events, and she ran the chocolate turtle fundraising event for the church out of her basement one year.
Nellie loved to read. She would often be reading more than one book at a time. Nellie especially loved cookbooks. She would check out the recipes to see which ones she wanted to try. She loved to share her books with anyone who happened to be in the house.
Nellie loved her Polish heritage. It showed in the Polish food she loved to cook and in the polkas she loved to listen to.
In 1963 Nellie applied and landed a job in the food service operations of the university of Mass in Amherst. With her college business degree Nellie applied and moved on up to the School of Engineering administrative office. Nellie was recognized for her intelligence and hard work, so she became the administrative assistant to the Dean. Nellie was recognized as a key player in the School of Engineering by being promoted to the commonwealth level and running conferences for the School of Engineering. She oversaw performance reviews for all AAs in all engineering Departments, and professors at the UMASS Engineering School.
In 1974, Nellie’s children staged a surprise 25th wedding anniversary for their parents at the Starlight room at the Miss Florence dinner. The couple then vacationed at Disney World in Florida for a week with their daughters.
For many years, Nellie was employed at UMass as an administrative assistant to the Dean of Engineering. In 1986 Nellie was recognized by the UMass Chancellor with a Chancellor Citation for her tireless efforts to improve the UMass School of Engineering.
In 1989 Nellie retired from UMASS to take care of her husband Edwin, as he was having health issues. Husband Edwin passed on November 30,2000. In her retirement, Nellie loved to go tag sailing with Sue and Deb. Nellie enjoyed mowing her lawn which she did well into her 90’s. She enjoyed playing with her grand dogs Tina and Scotty.
In 2023 Nellie started having memory issues, and was diagnosed with dementia, which eventually lead to her passing on May 25, 2026. A life well lived at 100 years!
In August 2025, Nellie received the Boston Post Golden Cane for being the oldest citizen of Sunderland.
Special thanks to Nellie’s wonderful healthcare staff including Karla, Lisa, Aly, Joyce, Lynn, Whitney, and Tammy, as well as Cooley Dickinson Hospital who provided outstanding care and compassion for the last few years of her long life.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Saint Judes Children’s hospital, or a charity of your choice.
In memory of Nellie read a good book, enjoy a Polish meal and dance a polka. She would love it!
Calling Hours will be held on Sunday May 31 from 5pm-7pm at the Wrisley Funeral Home. The Funeral will be held on Monday June 1, 2026 at 9 am from the Wrisley Funeral Home followed by a Mass at 10 am at the Holy Family Church in South Deerfield with burial to follow at St. Stanislaus Cemetery.
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