Joan L. Wilk, 87

CHESHIRE, Mass. — Mrs. Joan Lucille (Kittler) Wilk, 87, of Cheshire died on Friday, December 15, 2017, at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield.

She was born in Adams on June 10, 1930, the daughter of the late Emil and Albertine (Bourdeau) Kittler. She attended schools in Adams and Cheshire and graduated from the former Adams High School with the class of 1948. Mrs. Wilk was primarily a homemaker but had worked for the former Shea’s Department Store, General Electric Co., Pittsfield, the former Lee's Cards and Gifts and Macy's.

She was a communicant of St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Cheshire, where she had taught CCD classes for 25 years, receiving the Pope Pius X Award, was a Eucharistic Minister, acolyte, Bazaar table chair and collection counter. She was the leader of Cheshire Sew Happy 4H Club for over ten years and helped with many activities of the Happy Wanderers 4H Exchange Club. Mrs. Wilk was an avid candlepin bowler, loved Polka dancing and traveling, especially to Cape Cod with her family. She and her husband Stanley were very active in their children's and grandchildren's lives, attending as many of their activities as they could.

Her husband of 68 years, Stanley P. Wilk, whom she married on April 30, 1949 at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Cheshire, died on September 12, 2017.

She is survived by one daughter, Mary Ellen Baker and her husband Neil of Cheshire; three sons, Peter Wilk and his wife Anna of Jacksonville, Fla., Paul Wilk and his wife Jeanne of Cheshire and John Wilk and his partner Benjamin Chapman of San Francisco, Calif.; four grandchildren, Jonathan Baker and Lucy, Sam and Jacob Wilk; three step-grandchildren, Justin and Jerod Baker and Elizabeth Dailey; one brother, Emil Kittler of Cheshire; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her brother, David Kittler.

The family would like to thank Dr. Benjamin Rudin and his staff as well as the staff of Sugar Hill Assisted Living for the wonderful compassionate care both Stanley and Joan received.

Funeral notice: A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated at a later date to be announced. There are no calling hours at this time.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 159 Church St., Cheshire, MA 01225 or to Sugar Hill Activities Fund, 45 Main St., Dalton, MA 01226. The Paciorek Funeral Home, 13 Hoosac St., Adams, is in charge of arrangements.