Elizabeth Cwiertniewicz

Mrs. Elizabeth "Betty" (Baran) Cwiertniewicz, 88, of Adams, died Tuesday, September 18, 2012. She was born in Berkley, MA on July 17, 1924, a daughter of the late Joseph and Tekla (Tabak) Baran, and was a graduate of Taunton High School. She moved to Adams following her marriage to Stanley Cwiertniewicz on January 23, 1945. Primarily a housewife and mother, she raised five children, returning to work in 1965 at the former Sprague Electric Co. Brown St. plant. After the death of her husband on November 27, 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, Adams. She had been a member of the Summer St. Merchant's Association; and a long-term member of the Damien Cancer Support Group at Berkshire Medical Center. Since being diagnosed with cancer in 2000, she enjoyed walking the survivor's 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. Betty was a fan of the Weather Channel, the Food Network, search-a-word puzzles and ice cream. She is survived by 5 children; daughters Theresa Glog of Springfield, MA; Joan Cwiertniewicz of Ellicott City, MD; Anne Crisci and her husband Gregory of Roslindale, MA; Frances Cwiertniewicz of Adams and her son, Joseph Cwiertniewicz of Woodinville, WA; 3 brothers, Stanley, Michael and Joseph Baran; 2 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. The funeral will be held on Saturday, Sept. 22nd, at 9:00 AM from the PACIOREK FUNERAL HOME, 13 Hoosac St. Adams, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM in St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Adams, celebrated by Rev. Daniel J. Boyle, Pastor of the Parish of Blessed John Paul. Burial will follow in St. Stanislaus Kostka Cemetery, Adams. Calling hours are Friday from 5 to 7 PM 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. To leave a message of condolence, or for directions, please go online to www.apsfuneralhome.com