Ellen G. Tietgens, 93

CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Mrs. Ellen G. (Shields) Tietgens, 93, of Clarksburg, Mass., died Thursday morning, June 15, 2017, at North Adams Commons.

She was born in North Adams on November 23, 1923, the daughter of the late John and Gertrude (Ryan) Shields. She attended North Adams schools, and graduated from the former St. Joseph's High School with the Class of 1942.

Mrs. Tietgens first worked for the former New England Telephone Co. for several years. Following her marriage to John C. Tietgens on April 22, 1944, she became his partner in both life and in business, assisting him in the operation of JT Bus Lines. She also owned many race horses while the former Green Mountain Race Track was in operation, with Mr. Tietgens working as the trainer.

She had been a communicant of the former St. Francis of Assisi Church, North Adams, and later, of St. John Bosco Church in Stamford, Vt., and St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church in North Adams.

She enjoyed ceramic crafts, and also enjoyed wintering with her husband in Jamaica, and later, Naples and Cape Coral, Fla.

She is survived by her husband of 73 years, John, and together they raised four children, including Joan Calvi and her husband Bruce of Clarksburg, and Jane Sullivan, Jean Kurpiel and her husband Michael, and John C. Tietgens Jr. and his wife Heather-Lynn, all of Stamford, Vt. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren, including Bernard and Jeffrey Calvi, Jennifer Belisle, Justin and Jeremy Sullivan, Christa Marsh, Michael Kurpiel Jr., Jessica Langenback, John C. Tietgens III, and Jacob and Jillian Tietgens; 14 great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

She was predeceased by her three brothers, John, Joseph and Peter Shields.

Funeral notice: The funeral will be held on Saturday, June 17, 2017, at 9:15 a.m. from the Paciorek Funeral Home, 13 Hoosac St. Adams, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. in St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church, North Adams. Burial will follow in Clarksburg Cemetery.

Calling hours are Friday, June 16, 2017, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to the Clarksburg Volunteer Fire Company, 181 Cross Road, Clarksburg, MA 01247.