Tania Gajda, 80

ADAMS, Mass. — Mrs. Marcelle Tania (Quervin) Gajda, of 7 Woods Drive, Adams, died in the early morning of April 23, 2017, at her home surrounded by family after a long battle with cancer.

Family and friends knew her by her middle name, Tania, which she preferred. Born on March 1, 1937, she spent her formative years in Paris, France. Tania attended the Catholic schools organized by the Soeurs de Saint Vincent de Paul and was a communicant of Saint Sulpice in Paris, receiving her first communion and confirmation there.

Through the early 1960s, she was employed as a brand quality assistant for Charles of the Ritz and Yves Saint Laurent in Paris, occasionally modeling for these agencies. It was during this time that she met the love of her life, Stanley A. Gajda Jr., who was stationed in France at Éverux Air Force Base. They were wed in Jouy-sur-Eure, Haute Normandie France, on the 20th of August 1965, a marriage that lasted 51 years.

She arrived in Adams with her devoted husband in 1966, upon the completion of his military service. During her first years in Adams, she sold Avon products while teaching herself English and raising three children. Tania was employed at the former Waverly Fabrics, Adams and Meehan Electronics, Clarksburg, as well as various other establishments. Always creative with her hands, her lifelong passion was knitting and this is how she occupied most of her free time. Her knitting and love of her family is what gave her solace and strength in the last three years of her fight with glioblastoma.

Tania was proud to become a U.S. citizen on August 26, 1999, and to finally enjoy the privilege of voting. She was a communicant at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in Adams. She was also an active member of the Adams Elks Lodge #1335 for the past 12 years. She really enjoyed spending time with her many friends and family, often sharing a good glass of wine with them. She will be dearly missed.

She is survived by her husband, Stanley A. Gajda Jr. of Adams; her daughter, Monique M. Yates of Lorton, Va.; her eldest son, Stanley A. Gajda III of Easthampton, Mass.; her youngest son Oliver J. Gajda of San Francisco, Calif.; and her seven grandchildren.

Funeral notice: A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, April 29, 2017, at 11 a.m. in St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Adams, celebrated by Rev. Steven Montesanti, Pastor. Burial will be at a later date to be announced.

Calling hours are Friday, April 28, 2017, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Paciorek Funeral Home, 13 Hoosac St., Adams, which is in charge of arrangements. For those wishing to donate in lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations can be made to the donation of their choice or in her name to HospiceCare in the Berkshires, 877 South Street Suite 1W, Pittsfield, MA 01201.