Marjorie G. Smith

WEBSTER -- Marjorie (Pianowski) Smith of Webster, passed away peacefully into the arms of God on Sunday, February 2, 2025, at the age of 88. 

Marjorie was born on November 16, 1936, in Worcester, daughter of the late Chester and Bernice (Jacobson) Pianowski. She lived her days to the fullest, enjoying lifelong friends and family right until the very end of her time on Earth. Marjorie worked as a teacher for the Worcester Public School system in their HeadStart Program, retiring in 2004. Afterwards, Marjorie worked at the Worcester Centrum; during that time, she enjoyed interactions with celebrities performing there, including a memorable encounter backstage with Cher. Her life was filled with incredible experiences such as these, forming the basis for the amazing and sometimes salty stories she shared with captive audiences. In later years, Marjorie and several close friends were known together as “The Golden Girls”. She was always full of merriment, ready for an adventure or a harmless prank, and known for making those around her smile then laugh, whether around the dinner table of a family gathering, at her lakeside retreat, or even on a cruise vacation with total strangers. 

She is survived by her eight children, including four sons, David Zuidema of Worcester, Roger W. Smith, Jr. of Somersworth, NH, David Smith of Worcester, and Stephan Smith of Athens, AL; and four daughters, Deborah A. Nugent of Woodbridge, VA; Robin E. Hicks of Webster, Linda Serwicki of Harvest, AL, and Jo-Ann Noponen of Worcester. She is survived also by her sister, Patricia Sullivan of Uxbridge. Mrs. Smith was predeceased in 2006 by her husband of 21 years, Roger William Smith; and her sister, Dorothy Tagman who died in 2024.

Marjorie was the beloved matriarch, affectionately known as “Oma”, of her large and loving extended family based in Worcester County but extending beyond MA and across the country from NH to VA to AL to TX. Her love enriched the lives of fifteen grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren, and by seven great-great grandchildren. 

In October 2024, Oma took an adventurous and memorable airplane trip from Boston, to Huntsville, AL to enjoy an early celebration of her 88th birthday with Alabama family members, meeting with joy her latest great-great grandtwins. In November 2024, Oma traveled to Newmarket, NH where she basked in the glory of a second loving celebration of her birthday with a multitude of MA and NH family members. 

Marjorie created a family-filled life that was exceedingly rich and immensely meaningful. She leaves a legacy of love across multiple generations. Though she will be dearly missed by those who loved her most, her memory and outlook live on through all those who she touched.

Her funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 7, 2025, at Paradis-Givner Funeral Home, 357 Main St., Oxford. Burial will follow at West Sutton Cemetery in Sutton. Calling hours are from Friday from 9:30-11:00 a.m. at the funeral home prior to the service.