Marion Catherine (Shimeld) Parks passed away on June 26, 2026, exactly one week before her 94th birthday. She was born in Westfield, MA, the city where she would spend her life, to Stacia (Kucefski) Shimeld, who would provide her with eight younger siblings. A scrappy and precocious young woman, her early adventures included stealing the family’s first Christmas tree, traveling by public transportation all the way to Long Island to meet her estranged father’s parents, and joining the Women’s Army Corps from 1951-1952.

During her time in the Army, she met a tall, handsome fellow soldier from Glen Cove, New York. James Hubert Parks and Marion married after three months, and Jim returned to Westfield with Marion after his enlistment term ended. The had five children and were married for fifty years, until Jim passed in 2002.

Marion worked in the school lunch at Westfield High School for many years while raising her family. She was a skilled sewist and made her children’s clothes (and her daughter’s doll’s). She and Jim enjoyed having friends over for cards, and they hosted big parties to watch the Westfield fireworks, conveniently held every year on Marion’s birthday, right next door at the Westfield High School.

In their empty nest years, Marion and Jim enjoyed applying Jim’s woodworking and Marion’s painting skills to make beautiful pieces to sell at craft fairs. They traveled to Florida and around the Caribbean on cruises during the cold months and spent time at home with their many grandchildren. Marion enjoyed exercising and found community with other women in various health groups. Following Jim’s passing, she volunteered for the Westfield Senior Center and was a fixture (and a fierce competitor) at Bingo. She was skilled at crocheting and made baby blankets for the hospital after her own children were properly supplied with many examples of her work.

Marion spent her final years at the Holyoke Soldier’s Home, where she made many friends among the staff and other veterans. Her family is grateful for the care and comfort she received there.

Marion is predeceased by her husband, Jim, her son, Donald, and her daughter-in-law Faye. She is survived by her sons, Kendrick (Pierrette), Edward, and David, her daughter, Kathleen (James) O’Connor, her niece, Kristie (Thomas) Cooper, who was like a second daughter, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A Funeral Home Service will be held on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at 11AM in the Firtion Adams Funeral Service, 76 Broad Street, Westfield followed by burial with Military Honors in St. Mary's Cemetery, Southampton Rd. Westfield. A visiting hour will precede the service from 10-11AM in the funeral home.