Obituary for Barbara L. Germann
Barbara Louise Germann, 85 of Pittsfield, passed away peacefully January 31, 2024 at home.
Born in Chicopee, MA on October 6, 1938, she was the third daughter of Dr. Michael and Elsie Lazarchick’s seven children. Her Chicopee home is where she first learned her guiding principles of welcoming people in with unconditional love. Barbara was educated in Catholic schools where she excelled at following the rules and making sure others did as well. At Immaculata University she received her Bachelor’s degree, and on a girls night out she saw a man with a broken leg doing the dishes amongst all the chaos of the party. There she found the true love of her life.
She married Edmund J. Germann on August 18, 1962. After a fateful car accident on their honeymoon, Barbara landed in a full body cast for the first six months of their life together. After briefly living in Florida and New Jersey, they decided travel was not for them and settled into their Pittsfield home where they met wonderful life long friends and raised their family. A consummate hostess, Barbara always had a smile on her face, a drink to offer and enough food to feed whoever showed up. Still having more love and wisdom to share, she spent over 20 years as a paraprofessional in the Pittsfield High Special Education Department. She was forever patient and kind and never had a bad word to say about anyone.
She leaves loving memories with her children and their families - Edmund Germann and Fabricio Silva, Kristin and Lee Silverman, Jeffrey and Adrean Germann, Heidi Germann and Matthew Sloan. She also leaves her grandchildren Steven Silverman, Andrew, Christopher, Brandon and Elsiauna Germann, Jordan Hayes, Gracie Friend and great grandchild Ariah Germann. Welcoming her home will be her loving husband Edmund Germann, sister Joan Catanuto, grandson Matthew Shove, and Sophorn Samrith.
A memorial Mass will be held Friday February 9 at 1pm in the South Chapel of St. Joseph’s Church in Pittsfield, MA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in her name to HospiceCare in the Berkshires in c/o Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford St, Pittsfield, MA 01201.
Born in Chicopee, MA on October 6, 1938, she was the third daughter of Dr. Michael and Elsie Lazarchick’s seven children. Her Chicopee home is where she first learned her guiding principles of welcoming people in with unconditional love. Barbara was educated in Catholic schools where she excelled at following the rules and making sure others did as well. At Immaculata University she received her Bachelor’s degree, and on a girls night out she saw a man with a broken leg doing the dishes amongst all the chaos of the party. There she found the true love of her life.
She married Edmund J. Germann on August 18, 1962. After a fateful car accident on their honeymoon, Barbara landed in a full body cast for the first six months of their life together. After briefly living in Florida and New Jersey, they decided travel was not for them and settled into their Pittsfield home where they met wonderful life long friends and raised their family. A consummate hostess, Barbara always had a smile on her face, a drink to offer and enough food to feed whoever showed up. Still having more love and wisdom to share, she spent over 20 years as a paraprofessional in the Pittsfield High Special Education Department. She was forever patient and kind and never had a bad word to say about anyone.
She leaves loving memories with her children and their families - Edmund Germann and Fabricio Silva, Kristin and Lee Silverman, Jeffrey and Adrean Germann, Heidi Germann and Matthew Sloan. She also leaves her grandchildren Steven Silverman, Andrew, Christopher, Brandon and Elsiauna Germann, Jordan Hayes, Gracie Friend and great grandchild Ariah Germann. Welcoming her home will be her loving husband Edmund Germann, sister Joan Catanuto, grandson Matthew Shove, and Sophorn Samrith.
A memorial Mass will be held Friday February 9 at 1pm in the South Chapel of St. Joseph’s Church in Pittsfield, MA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in her name to HospiceCare in the Berkshires in c/o Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford St, Pittsfield, MA 01201.