ADAMS, Mass. —  Joan Pause passed away peacefully on January 8 at the North Adams Commons.

Joan was born in Adams, MA on March 12, 1936, to Esther (Kowalski) and Stanley Straczek. Adams was Joan’s home for most of her life. She attended St. Stanislaus Kostka elementary school as well as the Adams public schools.

She married Bob Pause on July 16, 1955, which began a lifelong partnership rooted in hard work, family, and their devotion to the community. Joan worked for almost 20 years for the Adams School District at Adams Junior High as a cafeteria helper and cook. She enjoyed interacting with the students and took great pride in doctoring up the meals she helped to prepare.

Joan was fond of her sports. When her boys were growing up and playing, she was their #1 fan. Once the grandkids began playing sports, she could be found travelling throughout New England to see them participating. She was also devoted to her New York football Giants, Boston Bruins, and Michigan State basketball. Every loss these teams incurred Joan took personally.

Joan and Bob loved travelling with friends to any polka festival there was. She especially looked forward to her yearly polka trip to Ocean City Maryland with her PNA friends and any Polish picnic at the Polanka. Joan loved her church. When the Springfield Diocese threatened to close her church, Joan and her fellow parishioners took action. Their 24-hour vigil at the St. Stanislaus Kostka Church which started in 2008 lasted 1,150 days. In 2012 the diocese eventually relented and decided to keep their church open.

Most of all, Joan was devoted to her family. She loved her boys, her brother and sister, and all of her grandchildren.

Joan is survived by her sons David of North Adams, MA, Steve (Kimberly) of Kamuela, HI, and Dan (Colleen) of Summerville, SC, and her brother, Jack from Adams. She leaves 12 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, a great-great-grandchild, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband Bob (2001), son Dennis (2012), and sister Frances Alibozek (2022).

The family would like to thank the North Adams Commons for their continued care and compassion through the years. Also, thanks to Hospice Care of the Berkshires for keeping Joan comfortable in her final days.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 4th at 10:00 A.M. in the PACIOREK FUNERAL HOME, 13 Hoosac St., Adams. Burial will follow in Bellevue Cemetery, Adams.

Calling hours will be from 9:00 A.M. until the time of the service.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Joan’s name to the Hoosac Valley Athletic Fund, 125 Savoy Rd. Cheshire, MA 01225.

To leave a message of condolence, or for directions, please go online to www.paciorekfuneral.com.