Joan Ellen Rivers

Mrs. Joan Ellen (Lubowicz) Rivers, 67, of 435 Reservoir Rd., North Adams, died on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 at Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston. She was born in Adams on December 26, 1947, daughter of the late Edwin and Helen (Leja) Lubowicz. She attended schools in Adams and graduated from the former Adams High School with the class of 1965. She then went on to receive her Bachelor's Degree in Science and Elementary Education from the former North Adams State College in 1969. Mrs. Rivers worked for many years as a teacher for the North Adams Public Schools until her retirement. She had also worked for the Grinell Law Firm in Williamstown. She was a communicant of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church, North Adams. She was a member of the Friends of the North Adams Library, the North Adams Teachers Association, the Massachusetts Teachers Association and the National Teachers Association. Joan loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She was an outdoor enthusiast, enjoying skiing, cycling and walking with her friends. She enjoyed her house in Vermont, hiking the White Mountains of New Hampshire and traveling to the ocean and islands. She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Gary F. Rivers, whom she married on November 22, 1969; Two sons – John Rivers and his wife Nancy of Savannah, GA and Christopher Rivers and his wife Jennifer of Clifton Park, NY; 1 Brother – Ronald Lubowicz and his wife Barbara of Lubbock, TX; 6 Grandchildren – Brice, Andrew, Lauren, Hayley, Nicholas and Derek as well as two nieces, Katy and Jenny. The funeral will be on Saturday, January 17, at 9:00AM from the PACIOREK FUNERAL HOME, 13 Hoosac St., Adams, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10:00AM in St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Adams, celebrated by Rev. Steven Montesanti, Pastor. Burial will follow in Southview Cemetery, North Adams. Calling hours are Friday from 4:00PM to 7:00PM at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to the Friends of the North Adams Library, 74 Church St., North Adams, MA 01247 or Pop Cares, P.O. Box 482, Williamstown, MA 01267