Grace E. Germanowski, 93
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Grace E Germanowski passed away in the loving home of her son Mark and daughter-in-law Heidi Germanowski on July 10, 2021, in Sun City, Ariz. She was 93.
Born in Lancaster, she was the daughter of Albert Bernhardt Schwab and Janette Francis Winchell of Lenox Dale. She grew up on Golden Hill Road on a family farm with three brothers, Albert F.(d1998), Donald (d2000) and Charles (d2018).
In 1948 Grace married Edmund J. Germanowski at Holy Family Church in Pittsfield where they built their home and raised a family of six children. After retirement, Grace and Ed spent some time in Florida but after visiting their daughter in Arizona became snowbirds spending winters in Sun City for the next 20 years.
Grace moved to Pittsfield and began a career in nursing after graduating from The Plainfield Academy in New Jersey in 1946. She was first an aide, then an LPN, and finally an RN. She returned to school and earned her Associate's degree from Berkshire Community College at the age of 46. She was dedicated to her work as a nurse and her work as a mother. At the time of retirement in 1990, she had cared for patients at Berkshire Medical Center for 27 years in the areas of Respiratory Care, Intensive Care, Surgical Care, and Coronary Care.
She served on the six-nurse strike team in 1981 and was loved by her colleagues for her dedication and compassion.
She was always there to help those in need. While in Pittsfield she volunteered for Elder Services, the Visitor Center, Meals on Wheels, Ladies Auxiliary Post 68, and her favorite charity, the St Vincent de Paul Society. She worked weekly for St Vincent de Paul in Sun City helping in the office, preparing food bags, serving in the dining room, and also chairing the Christmas Angels program.
In Pittsfield, she attended Holy Family and St Joseph's Church. She was a member of The Mother's Guild and worked annually on the Polish picnic. In Sun City she was a parishioner at St Joachim and St Anne Parish and faithfully attended services as long as she was able.
Grace had a passion for the Red Sox and was an avid Patriots fan. She enjoyed art classes, loved music and was always happy to attend a program or event. Through her encouragement, most of her children learned a musical instrument. After the death of her husband Edmund in 2014 she moved to Sun City, Ariz. full time.
Regardless of where she lived, she was always near family. She was an avid golfer and loved playing in leagues, charity tournaments and with family. In Sun City she walked the golf courses into her 90's.
Since 2018 Grace had lived with her son Mark, her daughter-in-law Heidi and their dog Gracie. She loved to walk and could frequently be seen in the neighborhoods near their home. A four-mile day was normal.
Grace was preceded in death by Edmund, her husband of 66 years. She is survived by her six children Paul (Ann) Germanowski of Isle La Motte, Vt., Joan (Sidney) Harris of Peoria, Ariz., Therese (James) Eby of Redington Beach, Fla., Susan (Richard) Musacchio of Newmarket, NH, Rosemarie (Frank) O'Gorman of
Peoria, Ariz., Mark (Heidi) Germanowski of Sun City, AZ as well six grandchildren and eight great- grandchildren.
Calling hours are 7-9 pm Sunday, August 15th at Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford St, Pittsfield, Mass 01201. The mass will be Monday August 16th at 9:00 am at St Joseph's Church, 424 North Street, Pittsfield with burial to follow at St Joseph's Cemetery.
The family welcomes donations to St Vincent de Paul Society (www.stvincentdepaul.net/give/donate) as an expression of sympathy.