Claudette Filipkowski

WESTBOROUGH/OXFORD - Claudette N. (Maillet) Filipkowski, 71, of Blossom Court and formerly of Oxford, died Friday, February 14, 2014, at the Coleman House in Northborough, after a 10-year struggle with Frontotemporal Dementia/Alzheimer's Disease. Claudette fought a courageous battle and was always smiling. Her remarkable strength and positive attitude through her illness was an amazing example for all of us. Throughout her life, she was a dedicated wife and mother who always showed tremendous care and concern for others, putting the needs of other people before herself; she was beloved by many friends and relatives in Massachusetts and beyond. Claudette was born in Worcester, the daughter of the late Alban J. and Helena (Arsenault) Maillet, and lived in Worcester, Oxford, and Dennis, before moving to Westborough 3 years ago. She graduated from Holy Name High School and Salter Secretarial School, both in Worcester. Mrs. Filipkowski was the executive assistant to the publisher of the Worcester Telegram and Gazette, where she worked for over 25 years before retiring in 2001. She was a former member of St. Roch's Church in Oxford. She enjoyed theater and music, and especially loved seeing plays and musicals and listening to country music. She also loved cooking, baking, decorating, and fashion, and she always had a great sense of style. Claudette had a strong bond with her sisters and family, who were always there for her, and most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her loving family, lifelong friends, and cherished grandchildren locally and on Cape Cod. She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Veto F. Filipkowski of Westborough; her children, Marc Filipkowski and his wife Diana of Sharon, and Michele Fleury and her husband Alan of Northbridge; four sisters, Carmen Dion and her husband Richard of North Grafton, Delma Ethier and her husband Edward of Marlborough, Jeannine Maillet of Auburn, and Yvette Cove and her husband Robert of South Yarmouth; two brothers, Donald Maillet and his wife Lorraine of Millbury, and Paul Maillet and his wife Judith of Auburn; three grandchildren, Andrew, Alexandra, and Alec; and many nephews and nieces. She was predeceased by a brother, George Louis Maillet. Sincere thanks to Pat Chandley for her assistance, dedication, and care of Claudette in her final years at home in Westborough, and also to the entire staff at the Coleman House for their care of Claudette and their support of her entire family in Claudette's final weeks. A funeral will be held on Wednesday, February 19, 2014, from Paradis-Givner Funeral Home, 357 Main St., Oxford, followed by a Mass at 10:30 a.m. at St. Roch's Church, 332 Main St., Oxford. Burial will follow at St. Roch's Cemetery in Oxford. Calling hours are Tuesday, February 18, 2014, from 5-8 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 480 Pleasant Street, Watertown, MA 02472, or to The Association for FrontoTemporal Degeneration (AFTD), Radnor Station Building 2, Suite 320, 290 King of Prussia Road, Radnor, PA 19087.