Gecewicz, Portia M.

Portia M. Gecewicz, 60, of Kingston, formerly of Canton, passed away May 9 at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.

Portia loved her significant other, Gary D. Woodworth of Kingston. She is the beloved sister of her eldest brother and godfather, James J. Gecewicz and his wife, Karen, of Fairhope, AL. Portia was aunt to James and Karen’s daughter, Karen Chimene Gecewicz-Sunderland, her husband, Jose Sunderland, and his daughter, Lauren Thompson, her husband, Bob, and their two children, Jacob and Kayla.

Portia is also the beloved sister of her brother Thomas E. Gecewicz of Bridgeport, CT, and sisters Luann M. Gecewicz and Helen O’Brien of Stoughton and Nancy F. Goggin of Randolph and her husband, Richard. Portia is the beloved aunt to Nancy and Richard’s children: Teresa Goggin, Joey Goggin and Paul Goggin.

Portia was born in Boston and raised in Canton. She graduated from Canton High School, Class of 1975. Upon graduation, Portia worked for Raytheon Co. for 12 years.

In 1987 Portia moved to California, where she lived for many years, working at the Revlon UCLA Breast Cancer Center. She worked as the executive assistant to Dr. Helena Chang, director of the Breast Cancer Center. Portia played a critical role in the organizational aspects of the Breast Cancer Center and directed fundraising, including planning and executing all fundraising activities as well as grant writing. Portia had a passion for helping those in need and a determination to achieve any and all goals necessary to do so. Portia moved back to Massachusetts eight years ago. Most recently she worked for the Physical Therapy Department of the Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Plymouth.

Portia loved to swim and excelled in it. As a young girl, she was on the Canton Dolphins swim team. At age 12, Portia was scouted for the U.S. Olympic swim team, but chose not to go because, to do so, she would have had to move to Texas, away from her family, to enter training. She chose instead to stay home with her family. Portia did continue to swim competitively for most of her life. She also used her talent for swimming as a swim coach and as a volunteer for Special Olympics.

Portia loved playing softball and played on various softball teams. She also enjoyed gardening and many various crafts, including jewelry making. Portia enjoyed life to the fullest, loving to sing and dance. Portia was a kind and loving person with a huge heart. She was loved by many friends and family members and will be greatly missed.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the cause that Portia worked so hard for in California for so many years: The Revlon UCLA Breast Cancer Center, under the direction of Dr. Helena R. Chang, 100 Medical Plaza, Suite 310, Los Angeles, CA 90095. Please indicate that the donation is in memorial of Portia Gecewicz. Thank you for your generosity.

A funeral mass was held Wednesday in St. John the Evangelist Church in Canton. Burial St. Mary’s Cemetery, Canton. Arrangements by the Dockray & Thomas Funeral Home, 455 Washington Street. For guestbook, see dockrayandthomasfuneralhome.com.

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Posted by Canton Citizen on May 19 2018. Filed under Obituaries. Both comments and pings are currently closed.