Stella R. Gwozdz

Stella Rose (Iwanowicz) Gwozdz, 94, of 82 East Rd., Adams, died at home at midnight, Wednesday, August 12, 2009 after a long illness. One of seven children, Stella was born on August 4, 1915 to Stanislaw and Rozalia (Pisiewski) Iwanowicz at their home and farm in Windsor, MA. She advanced quickly thru Crane grade school and was in the first class to attend the then-newly built Pittsfield High School, graduating in 1932 at the age of sixteen. One year later, she graduated from Berkshire Business College having completed the Secretarial Course of Study, and she utilized those skills for a number of years employed at A.H. Rice Co in Pittsfield. On July 26, 1941 she married Stanley F. Gwozdz of Adams, proprietor of the Orange Squeeze Bottling Company. In addition to raising twelve children and sending them all to college, she worked as bookkeeper and sales woman in the family soda business alongside Stanley who died on August 5, 1978, and then with her son Ted, until the company closed in 2000. Many may remember her as 'the lady' with the radiant smile, warm embrace and/or a free soda for customers of all ages. She loved to knit, crochet, sew, cook, sing, do crosswords and reminisce about her early life of farming with her family. She was a member of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, the Polish Women's Alliance and the St. Stanislaus Kostka Rosary Sodality. Stella leaves 89 loving immediate family members, including; 6 daughters: Rosalie Rogers of Briarcliff Manor, NY; Helen Miller and husband Fred of Lebanon, NJ; Frances Naan and husband John of Treasure Island, FL; Jane Lull and husband Nathan of North Adams; Cecelia Kaluza and husband Piotr of Madison, CT; Mary Gwozdz of Adams. 5 sons: Peter Gwozdz and wife Barbara of Cupertino, CA; Paul Gwozdz and wife Mary Ellen of Troy, NY; Casey Gwozdz of St. Petersburg, FL; Ted Gwozdz of Adams; Matthew Gwozdz and wife Mary of Amsterdam, NY. 26 Grandchildren, 30 Great Grandchildren, 22 in-laws, numerous nieces, nephews, other extended family and caregivers. She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Joan Bodzioch and her husband, Anthony, of North Kingston, R.I. Besides her husband Stanley, other deceased loved ones include her son Mark F Gwozdz, grandson Stanley Gwozdz, two sisters Felixia Wesolowski and Wanda Skrocki, and four brothers Chester, Napoleon, Walter and Alexander Iwanowicz. The funeral will be on Wednesday, August 19, at 9:00AM from the PACIOREK FUNERAL HOME, 13 Hoosac St., Adams, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10:00AM in the Parish Church of Pope John Paul the Great, Adams, celebrated by Rev. Daniel J. Boyle, Pastor. Burial will follow in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Adams. Calling hours are Tuesday, Aug. 18, from 4:00PM to 7:00PM at the funeral home. Members of the St. Stanislaus Rosary Sodality will meet at the funeral home at 3:40PM Tuesday to pay their respects and recite the rosary. Memorial donations may be made to VNA & Hospice of Northern Berkshire, to Elder Services of Berkshire County or to St. Stanislaus Kostka School through the funeral home

Stella R. Gwozdz

August 4, 1915 - August 12, 2009