Joan E. Mactavish

Mrs. Joan Elaine "Babcia" (Lesnick) MacTavish, 73, of 101 Friend St., Adams, won her 4 year battle with terminal cancer on April 11, 2011, when she entered the arms of her Lord at Berkshire Medical Center, Pittsfield. She was born in Adams on September 23, 1937, a daughter of the late Louis and Veronica (Kuza) Lesnick. She attended schools in Adams. Mrs. MacTavish was primarily a homemaker until the death of her husband in 1977. She then went to work as a seamstress for the former Waverly Co., Adams, and as a home health aide until retiring. She was a communicant of the former St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Adams. She was beloved to her children and was a devoted mother and grandmother, and was gifted great-grandmother to her little miracle, Aiden Mendonca. She enjoyed gardening, holiday gatherings, and especially spending time with her grandchildren. Her husband, Robert D. MacTavish, whom she married on August 24, 1957, died on June 25, 1977. Joan was an inspiration and will be dearly missed by all who knew her. She is survived by: 3 Daughters - Linda Hermanski and her husband Daniel of Pittsfield, Kathleen Babeu and her husband Mark of Adams, and Susan Schneider of Adams; 8 Grandchildren - Jennifer Hermanski, First Lt. Daniel Hermanski and his wife Sharlene, Kathryn Hermanski, Katie Mendonca and her husband Jason, Nicole Babeu, Matthew Babeu, Holly Pelczynski and Bryan Schneider; 1 Great Grandson - Aiden Mendonca; 1 Sister, Mary Adler of Pittsfield, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a son-in-law, William Schneider, by 1 brother, Stanley Lesnick, and by 1 sister, Josephine Dean. The funeral will be on Friday, April 15, at 8:45AM from the PACIOREK FUNERAL HOME, 13 Hoosac St., Adams, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10:00AM at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Cheshire, celebrated by Rev. David R. Raymond, Pastor. Burial will follow in St. Stanislaus Kostka Cemetery, Adams. Calling hours are Thursday from 5:00PM to 7:00PM at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made through the funeral home to either the Eileen Barrett Cancer Center in North Adams or to the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation--Denise Kaley Fund, which supports the day to day financial needs of women diagnosed with cancer.

Joan E. Mactavish

September 23, 1937 - April 11, 2011