Mary Ann Chalifoux

Ms. Mary Ann Chalifoux, 64, of Coxsackie, New York, formerly of North Adams, died on Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at the home of her brother in Adams after a 14 month battle with cancer. She was born in Pittsfield at St. Luke's Hospital on September 10, 1948, a daughter of the late Jean and Catherine (Coyne) Chalifoux. She attended St. Joseph Elementary School in North Adams and graduated from the former St. Joseph High School. At St. Joe's she belonged to many organizations and was a leader in most of them. She also won many awards, especially in Speech. Mary Ann then went on to graduate from Mount St. Mary College in Manchester, NH in 1970 with a degree in Sociology. During both high school and college, Mary Ann worked for the Mary Jzyk Sunshine Camp in North Adams. Immediately after graduation Mary Ann continued her work with the Northern Berkshire Association for retarded citizens. She went on to run the CETA Youth Work Program and impacted the lives of many young people; however, business was always in Mary Ann's blood. She opened her first retail clothing store, Weird Feathers in Williamstown with her best friend Debbie Trottier who passed at the early age of 28, shortly after that her brothers joined her and moved the store to North Adams and changed the name to He and She. At that point they started buying real estate properties for apartment rentals. Mary Ann had also worked as a waitress and while doing so she met Harry Patten who recruited her for his sales force and eventually worked her way to a vice president and was an important asset to that company until deciding to go out on her own in 1988 and established her own Real Estate businesses, Sleepy Hollow Realty and Country Horizons, both in Athens, New York, where she was selling properties, managing rental properties and developing real estate. She also enjoyed buying and selling antiques. Mary Ann worked every day until the day of her death and was giving constant care and comfort to her sister Cathy. Mary Ann was very generous to her family and friends and to charitable organizations, especially Vietnam Veteran causes. She is survived by; 2 Brothers - Michael Chalifoux of North Adams and Thomas Chalifoux and his wife Carolyn of Adams; 1 Sister - Cathy Chalifoux of Adams; 2 Nieces - Nora Chalifoux of Williston, VT and Caitlin Fairneny and her husband Ty of Hopkinton, MA; 1 Great Niece - Alana Fairneny and 1 Great Nephew - Colin Fairneny, both of Hopkinton, MA. The funeral will be on Saturday, June 8 at 11:30AM from the PACIOREK FUNERAL HOME, 13 Hoosac St., Adams, MA 01220, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 12:00 NOON in the Parish Church of Blessed John Paul, Adams, celebrated by Rev. Daniel J. Boyle, Pastor. Burial will follow in Southview Cemetery, North Adams. Calling hours are Saturday morning from 9:30AM until 11:30AM at the funeral home. The family requests the omission of flowers and suggests memorial donations be made to the Cathy Chalifoux Fund through the funeral home.

Mary Ann Chalifoux

May 29, 1949 - May 29, 2013