Elizabeth Cwiertniewicz, 88
ADAMS, Mass. — Elizabeth "Betty" Cwiertniewicz, 88, of Adams, died Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012.
Born in Berkley on July 17, 1924, a daughter of Joseph and Tekla Tabak Baran, she was a graduate of Taunton High School. She moved to Adams following her marriage to Stanley Cwiertniewicz
Primarily a housewife and mother, Mrs. Cwiertniewicz raised five children, returning to work in 1965 at the former Sprague Electric Co.'s Brown St. plant in North Adams. After the death of her husband in 1971, she took over operation of Acey's Market, which she ran until its closing in 1986.
She began working for Hallmark/Ambassador Cards in 1988 as a merchandiser, or "Card Lady," who serviced the greeting card and gift wrap departments at the former Kmart in North Adams until its closing, and at the Big Y in Adams until 2005.
She was a communicant of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church. She had been a member of the Summer Street Merchant's Association and a long-term member of the Damien Cancer Support Group at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield.
After being diagnosed with cancer in 2000, she enjoyed walking the survivors' laps at both the Northern and Central Berkshire American Cancer Society Relay For Life events, and had walked as a survivor at an event in Maryland while visiting her daughter. She enjoyed maintaining her yard, trimming her hedges, raking leaves and weeding her garden, doing so until this summer. She was a fan of The Weather Channel, the Food Network, search-a-word puzzles and ice cream.
Her husband, whom she married on Jan. 23, 1945, died Nov. 27, 1971.
She leaves by four daughters, Theresa Glog of Springfield, Joan Cwiertniewicz of Ellicott City, Md., Anne Crisci and her husband, Gregory, of Roslindale and Frances Cwiertniewicz of Adams; a son, Joseph Cwiertniewicz of Woodinville, Wash.; three brothers, Stanley, Michael and Joseph Baran; two sisters, Frances Roche and Joan Pena; and several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her brother, John Baran; sisters Mildred Bigda and Mary Mallory; and son-in-law Thomas Glog.
FUNERAL NOTICE — The funeral Mrs. Cwiertniewicz for will be held on Saturday, Sept. 22, at 9 a.m. from Paciorek Funeral Home, 13 Hoosac St., Adams, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10 in St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Adams, celebrated by the Rev. Daniel J. Boyle, pastor of the Parish of Blessed John Paul. Burial will follow in St. Stanislaus Kostka Cemetery, Adams.
Calling hours will be Friday, Sept. 21, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to the Northern or Central/South Berkshire Relay For Life events; or to the American Cancer Society through the funeral home.