Grace R. Swiatek

January 1, 1926 — February 13, 2017

Grace R. Swiatek age 91, formerly of Sunderland, MA died Monday, February 13, 2017 while staying in Ashley Falls, MA with her son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Deborah Swiatek.

Grace was born in Northampton, MA on January 1, 1926, the seventh child of Stanley and Rose Lisewski. She grew up working on the family farm in Whately and remained at the farm until her parents death in 1975.

After graduation from Northampton High School and Northampton Commercial College, she worked at various secretarial and bookkeeping positions until she became Executive Secretary to the Vice President of Northampton Gas and Light Company.

Upon the gas company's purchase by Springfield Gas Light, she worked her way up to Branch Office Manager and then Customer Information Specialist. When the Northampton office was closed, she transferred to Bay State Gas Company as Administrator-Marketing Services.

While in Springfield, she was a member of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce, the Springfield Industrial Association, and took several courses through the company. She was also Treasurer then advanced to Secretary and Vice President of the 25-Year Club.

In 1982 along with several employees, she retired under an early retirement plan.

A lover of the outdoors, Grace liked to garden, hike, bike ride, fish, and bowl. She worked hard her entire life and liked to be kept busy. She also loved animals and had a lifetime of a dog or cat as a pet and friend.

She leaves her loving son Richard and his wife Deborah (Baker) of Ashley Falls; her grandson Jarod and his wife Faith along with grandchildren Amelia and Hope. She also leaves her niece and friend Priscilla Quinlan, her husband Jim, and their children Pam, Crissy, and Jen. In addition she had ten other nieces and nephews, and several great-great nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her long time partner and best friend Waldemar (Walt) Kolosewicz.

Services are private and at the convenience of the family.

Donations in memory of Grace may be made to the Berkshire Humane Society through Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230. Remembrances may be sent to her family through www.finnertyandstevens.com

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Grace R. Swiatek

January 1, 1926 — February 13, 2017

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