Obituary for D. Elaine Broderick
Dorothy Elaine Broderick, 91, completed the journey to be with her Lord on Thursday, December 9, 2021. Known as Elaine to friends and family, she was born in Pittsfield, MA on September 1, 1930. She was the daughter of the late Raymond F. and Dorothea Morrier.
A lifelong resident of Pittsfield, Elaine attended local schools and graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1948. She next enrolled at the College of St. Rose, earning a BS degree in nursing in 1952.
Elaine married the love of her life, William J. Broderick, on July 10, 1954, at St Teresa Church. Bill and Elaine lived a beautiful life together, raising their seven children hand-in-hand. They celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary in 2015.
Baptized at St Teresa Church in 1930, Elaine remained a member of St Teresa’s until the parish was dissolved 78 years later. Throughout her adulthood, Elaine volunteered in numerous capacities there and was among the first ordained Eucharistic Ministers in the Diocese of Springfield. In 1988, she received the Saint Pius X medal for "outstanding service to the parish in the realm of faith formation." The following year, Elaine was named Parishioner of the Year.
She was a woman of deep faith, an ardent devotee of the Rosary and a member of the Pittsfield Seton Family Group.
Elaine contributed many years of active service to Habitat for Humanity's efforts to provide housing for the less fortunate. And several decades to the Soup Kitchen at South Congregational Church in service to the hunger-challenged. She was an advocate for and firmly committed to the mission of Brightside for Families and Children – to be a healing and transformative presence in the lives of youth and families, based on the belief that people realize their full potential through relationships.
Elaine is survived by her children: William of Metairie, LA; Thomas (Ann) of Perrysburg, OH; Raymond (Denise Dean) of Jericho, VT; Mary (Kathryn Jones) of Clarksville, NY; Ann (Thomas Reed) of Southwick, MA; and Sheila of Southampton, MA; her seven grandchildren: Katherine, Dylan, Cailee, Sadie, Ryan, Harry and Brody; her brothers Leon F. (Ann) Morrier of Plaistow, NH and Dr. Thomas C. (Janice) Morrier of Naples, FL; and her seven nieces and nephews.
Elaine was predeceased by her husband, Bill, her sister-in-law, Mary N. Broderick, her son, John, and her son-in-law, Dr. William J. Dean III.
Among Elaine's myriad of special qualities was a wonderful appreciation for 'ordinary miracles.' She easily found the beauty in a shiny, smooth stone shimmering in a brook, a bright green leaf unfolding in springtime splendor, a burnished chestnut, even a tiny acorn complete with its crown. Elaine would simply marvel at a crystalline-blue, cloudless sky, calling the expanse "glorious."
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that when, from time-to-time, you notice an 'ordinary miracle', remember Elaine and the life full of extraordinary goodness she led.
The family also gratefully acknowledges the staff at Berkshire Place for the exceptional care provided to Elaine over the last six years.
FUNERAL NOTICE: A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held THURSDAY, December 16, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Church, celebrated by Rev. Msgr. Michael Shershanovich, Pastor. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. Calling hours will be held WEDNESDAY, December 15, 2021 from 4 to 7 p.m. at DERY FUNERAL HOME, 54 Bradford St, Pittsfield, MA 01201.
A lifelong resident of Pittsfield, Elaine attended local schools and graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1948. She next enrolled at the College of St. Rose, earning a BS degree in nursing in 1952.
Elaine married the love of her life, William J. Broderick, on July 10, 1954, at St Teresa Church. Bill and Elaine lived a beautiful life together, raising their seven children hand-in-hand. They celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary in 2015.
Baptized at St Teresa Church in 1930, Elaine remained a member of St Teresa’s until the parish was dissolved 78 years later. Throughout her adulthood, Elaine volunteered in numerous capacities there and was among the first ordained Eucharistic Ministers in the Diocese of Springfield. In 1988, she received the Saint Pius X medal for "outstanding service to the parish in the realm of faith formation." The following year, Elaine was named Parishioner of the Year.
She was a woman of deep faith, an ardent devotee of the Rosary and a member of the Pittsfield Seton Family Group.
Elaine contributed many years of active service to Habitat for Humanity's efforts to provide housing for the less fortunate. And several decades to the Soup Kitchen at South Congregational Church in service to the hunger-challenged. She was an advocate for and firmly committed to the mission of Brightside for Families and Children – to be a healing and transformative presence in the lives of youth and families, based on the belief that people realize their full potential through relationships.
Elaine is survived by her children: William of Metairie, LA; Thomas (Ann) of Perrysburg, OH; Raymond (Denise Dean) of Jericho, VT; Mary (Kathryn Jones) of Clarksville, NY; Ann (Thomas Reed) of Southwick, MA; and Sheila of Southampton, MA; her seven grandchildren: Katherine, Dylan, Cailee, Sadie, Ryan, Harry and Brody; her brothers Leon F. (Ann) Morrier of Plaistow, NH and Dr. Thomas C. (Janice) Morrier of Naples, FL; and her seven nieces and nephews.
Elaine was predeceased by her husband, Bill, her sister-in-law, Mary N. Broderick, her son, John, and her son-in-law, Dr. William J. Dean III.
Among Elaine's myriad of special qualities was a wonderful appreciation for 'ordinary miracles.' She easily found the beauty in a shiny, smooth stone shimmering in a brook, a bright green leaf unfolding in springtime splendor, a burnished chestnut, even a tiny acorn complete with its crown. Elaine would simply marvel at a crystalline-blue, cloudless sky, calling the expanse "glorious."
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that when, from time-to-time, you notice an 'ordinary miracle', remember Elaine and the life full of extraordinary goodness she led.
The family also gratefully acknowledges the staff at Berkshire Place for the exceptional care provided to Elaine over the last six years.
FUNERAL NOTICE: A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held THURSDAY, December 16, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Church, celebrated by Rev. Msgr. Michael Shershanovich, Pastor. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. Calling hours will be held WEDNESDAY, December 15, 2021 from 4 to 7 p.m. at DERY FUNERAL HOME, 54 Bradford St, Pittsfield, MA 01201.