Mrs. Ellen M. Mach

Mrs. Ellen M. (Dobrowolski) Mach, 80, of Adams, passed away on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at Williamstown Commons. She was born in Adams on November 6, 1942, a daughter of the late Emil and Esther (Phillips) Dobrowolski. She attended Adams schools, graduating from the former Adams Memorial High School with the Class of 1960. She then earned her bachelor’s degree in education from the former North Adams State College in 1964. Ellen worked as the science laboratory assistant at Hoosac Valley High School for 25 years, until retiring in 2004; she was beloved by the students, even the bad-asses. Her duties included handing out pencils, acting as lookout for the science teachers smoking in the back room, and limiting the use of scientific balances for weighing out weed. She delighted in spending time with her family and friends, swimming, hiking, gardening, and knitting. Her group of outdoorswomen, the Wild Women of the Woods, spent many happy hours cross-country skiing, swimming at North Pond, hiking throughout the North Berkshires, and celebrating birthdays and other milestones. Her friends in the Hoosac Valley Motorcycle Club and Western Mass Athletic Club brought her particular joy at many events and parties. Her family will treasure memories of cold-water swimming at Bellevue Falls, hiking on Mt. Greylock (particularly the trail with Eastern Spotted Newts), enjoying her delicious pies and turkey dinner, and even spending quality time picking potato bugs at the garden. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Francis M. Mach, whom she married on August 8, 1964; her daughter, Jennifer Mach and her husband Michael Rogus of Chicago, IL; her son, Lawrence Mach and his wife Loretta Mach of Adams; four grandchildren, Fern Rogus, Kimberly Mach, Andrew Mach, and Sylvia Mach; two sisters, Jane Crouch of Garland, ME, and Ann Dobrowolski of Adams; as well as several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents and sister, Marie Cashin of Acton, ME. Visiting hours in the PACIOREK FUNERAL HOME, 13 Hoosac St. Adams, will be held on Monday, Oct. 23rd from 4–6 PM. Following visiting hours, all are invited to join Ellen’s family at the Forest Park Country Club, 41 Forest Park Ave. Adams, from 6 PM until 8 PM to share memories and celebrate Ellen’s life. Committal services will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 24th at 11:00 AM in Bellevue Cemetery, Adams. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the charity of your choice, possibly including dementia- or hydrocephalus-related organizations. To leave a message of condolence, or for directions, please go online to www.paciorekfuneral.com

Mrs. Ellen M. Mach

November 6, 1942 - October 14, 2023