Dorothy Daunais, 100

ADAMS, Mass. — Mrs. Dorothy Mae (Shaw) Daunais, 100, of Adams passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 8, 2017, at Williamstown Commons.

She was born in Adams on April 3, 1917, daughter of the late Joseph and Annie (Crombleholme) Shaw. She attended schools in Adams and graduated from the former Adams High School with the class of 1935.

Mrs. Daunais was a production clerk for the former Sprague Electric Co., North Adams, for 25 years until retiring in 1979. She was a member of the First Congregational Church, Adams.

Her husband, Francis "Sam" Daunais, whom she married on July 8, 1939, died on December 4, 1987.

She is survived by her daughter, Cathleen Daunais of Fairbanks, Alaska; three granddaughters, Sadie Peters and her husband Jason of Portsmouth, R.I., Megan Milano and her husband Vin of Georgetown, Mass., and Hannah Monzingo and her husband Domenic of Fairbanks, Alaska; six great-grandchildren, Kaden and Rylen Monzingo, Logan and Violet Peters, and Isla and Graylan Milano; her daughter-in-law Nancy Carlson; many nieces and nephews; and the Morey family: Loretta, Tim, Cathleen, Kaylee and Nick.

Dorothy cherished her many visits with family and friends, sharing wonderful stories always accompanied by lots of laughs.

She was predeceased by her two sons, Richard and Gerald Daunais; seven brothers, William, Joseph, Fred, Frank "Babe," Ralph and Lawrence Shaw; and by two sisters, Edith "Nicky" Frederick and Hazel Potter.

A few weeks before her passing, Dorothy spent a glorious day sitting under a birch tree at Windsor Pond enjoying her great-grandchildren playing in the water. She loved kids and over her long life babysat and nurtured many. She was always there to help and hold family members or friends who needed her. She especially liked to cook for everyone and was well known for her delicious meals and whoopie pies.

During her years at Williamstown Commons she befriended many staff members and residents, and could often be seen greeting visitors outside at the front door. She made it her "home" and treated everyone there like family. She will be greatly missed.

Her family and friends celebrated her long and wonderful life with her at her 100th birthday party in April, where she continued, as she always has, to make it the most enjoyable and fun party.

The family would like to thank the staff of Williamstown Commons for their compassionate care of Dorothy for the past five years, as well as the staffs of Berkshire Medical Center and HospiceCare in the Berkshires.

Funeral notice: In lieu of flowers and because of Dorothy's great love for all children, donations can be made to the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), 3 United Nations Plz, New York, NY 10017. Funeral services and burial will be private for the family. There are no calling hours. Paciorek Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.