Grace Bushika

Grace E. Thompson Bushika, age 96, wife of the late George R. Bushika of Cheshire, passed into her eternal rest June 5, 2014 at Sweet Brook Nursing Center in Williamstown, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in North Adams on August 21, 1917, the daughter of George and Grace (Morgan) Thompson. She grew up in Clarksburg and attended Drury High School, where she took part in several drama and singing productions. During her younger years, she was employed at Sprague Electric Company where she worked on electrical assemblies. She also worked for many years at the Frank Bushika Sand and Gravel Company in Cheshire as a bookkeeper and office receptionist. After she and George retired, they spent winters at their vacation home in St. Augustine, Florida. Grace loved ice skating and swimming, and as a young woman was a Red Cross certified lifeguard. At one time, she was a member of the Cheshire Grange, TOPPS Club, and Pittsfield Girls Club. She enjoyed cooking for family and friends, and was known by all for her Italian cooking. She also enjoyed reading and keeping up with local and national news, as well as observing birds and native wildlife from her yard. She and George were avid Yankees fans. Grace was a lovely, generous person who was always ready to extend a helping hand to family, friends, and anyone else in need. She was loved by everyone who knew her. Grace was a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Cheshire. She was predeceased by her husband George in August of 2008. The couple had previously celebrated 72 years of marriage on July 4th of 2008. Grace is survived by a son, George T. Bushika and his wife Joan of Cheshire, and by two daughters, Claire Wohrle and her husband Werner of Cheshire and Mary Woolley of Cheshire and her companion Joseph Livecchi. She leaves seven grandchildren, Mark Bushika, Eric Bushika and his wife Tara, Ellen Wohrle and her fiancé Daniel Matrigali, John Wohrle and his wife Michele, Van Woolley, Vince Woolley and his wife Rebecca, and Mara Woolley. She is also survived by nine great grandchildren, Ava and Cash Bushika, Tashina St. Germaine, Joseph Senecal, Kelsey and Maggie Wohrle, Wade, Evan, and Jesse Woolley, and by two great-great grandchildren, Jeremy and Liam, She also leaves many cousins, nieces, and nephews as well as her sisters-in-law, Theresa Pontier and Joan Cellana, and her brother-in-law, Frank (Chicco) Bushika and her long-time friend Nadine LeSage and her daughters Gabrielle and Jordan. Besides her husband, she was predeceased by her son, Barry A. Bushika, who died December 18, 1988, by her sisters Pearl Walker and Clarence, and Dorothy Thompson, and by two brothers, Donald Thompson and Jennie, and Theodore Thompson and Doris, and by several sisters- and brothers-in-law. The family wishes to thank Grace's dear friend, Paula Rhinemiller, and the kind and caring staff at Sweet Brook Nursing Center for their compassion, encouragement, and support. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 11, at 10:00AM in St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Cheshire, celebrated by Rev. David R. Raymond, Pastor. Burial will follow in Cheshire Cemetery, Cheshire. Calling hours are Tuesday from 5:00PM to 7:00PM at the PACIOREK FUNERAL HOME, 13 Hoosac St., Adams, which is in charge of arrangements. Memorial donations in Grace's name may be made to the Hoosac Hose Company of Cheshire, or St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Cheshire, in care of the funeral home.