ADAMS, Mass. —

Mrs. Joan M. (Pitroff) Pitrovich Rynkowski, 91, of Adams, died Wednesday evening, June 11, 2025 at Springside of Pittsfield. She was born in Adams on May 21, 1934, a daughter of the late Nicholas and Eva (Dubois) Pitroff, and attended Adams schools, graduating from the former Adams High School.

To know her was to love her. We never met a single person who knew our Mom that ever had a bad thing to say about her. She was loved by family, friends, co-workers and extended family as well as people who barely knew her. We can write an obituary about her work and her life. To honor her for the person she was, we would like everyone to know that she was the kindest, sweetest, lovable and most forgiving and generous person we will ever know. She will be missed by many but will be welcomed into her new home by those that have left us and are with the heavens and God above. She loved and believed in the existence of Angels. She has now become our Angel looking down on her family and will continue to do what she always has done – protect us.

Before retiring, Joan worked for the Adams- Cheshire Regional School District for many years, first in the Office of the Superintendent, and later in the main office at Hoosac Valley High School where she was well known by students and staff. Earlier, she had worked at local businesses and Mullen Moving and Storage in Adams. She was a communicant of the Parish of St. John Paul II in Adams and volunteered at the parish Charity Center for several years. She enjoyed knitting, camping, and especially loved being a grandmother.

Her first husband, Robert D. Pitrovich, whom she married on May 28, 1955, died on October 9, 1981. Her second husband, Frederick S. Rynkowski, who she married on June 25, 1983, died on May 13, 2022.

Joan is survived by her children, Daniel Pitrovich and his wife Misty of Stevens, PA and Tina Schneider and her husband Joe of Plainfield, MA; four grandchildren – Brittany Pitrovich, Robert Pitrovich (Sarah), Ashley Schmidt (James) and Justin Schneider; two great grandchildren, Harper Joan Schmidt and Madelyn Webster; her goddaughter, Laurie Joan Carbin, as well as nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sister, Rita Marks.

We would like to thank HospiceCare for being there for her and our family and Springside for making her feel like she was at home. We were blessed that she was a 10-year Pancreatic Cancer survivor. In 2016, she received the Patient Award from Berkshire Medical Center via the Cancer Center. Joan was given hope of 5 more years of life but through her determination and positive outlook she beat the odds and made it to 10. Funeral services and burial will be private. There are no calling hours. Memorial donations may be made to HospiceCare in the Berkshires, 877 South St. Pittsfield, MA 01201, or to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (pancan.org). The PACIOREK FUNERAL HOME, Adams, is in charge of arrangements. To Leave a message of condolence please go online to www.paciorekfuneral.com