Dorothy May Radke, 88, of 36 Call Street, Chicopee, MA died Saturday at Overlook Nursing Home in Northampton where she had resided for the past five months. A longtime Pittsfield resident, she had lived with her sons in Chicopee since 2003. She had also resided in Lanesboro for many years. Born on August 16, 1925 in Pittsfield, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Mabel (Van Volkinburg) Sidway. She was educated in Pittsfield schools and had worked as an inspector at the former Eaton Paper Company. She had also worked at one time at GE Winding, Berkshire Nursing Home and Crane & Company in Dalton at the Government Mill. She retired in 1985.
She married her husband; the late Richard F. Radke on October 12, 1946 at the First Baptist Church in Pittsfield in a double wedding with Mike and Edna Wowk. Mr. Radke died on December 1, 2003. Mrs. Radke was a member of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church where she sang in the choir in her younger years. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, baking, canning, playing cards, and reading. She loved animals, especially her pet Border Collie Laddie and her cat Baby. She also loved music and enjoyed going dancing with her late husband. Her greatest joy was being with her family. A proud supporter of 4H, Mrs. Radke was also a two time cancer survivor. She leaves four sons; Karl L. Radke of Lanesboro, MA, Raymond E. Radke of Chicopee, MA, Peter J. Radke and his wife Elena of Florence, MA and Paul R. Radke of Chicopee, MA. A daughter; Linda S. Papirio and her husband Anthony of Belchertown, MA. A brother; Samuel N. Sidway of Pittsfield, MA and her eight loving grandchildren; Tony and Michael Papirio, Daniel and Alex Radke, Cynthia Faith, Marianne Radke and Angelica and Michelle Radke.
She also leaves her three great grandchildren; Emily, William and Charles Papirio of Atlanta Georgia, and several nieces and nephews including; Diane, Chrissy and Gary Sidway. She was predeceased by her brother; Richard Sidway and by her infant sister; Baby Sidway.
Dorothy's family would like to thank all the staff and nurses at the Overlook at Northampton for the outstanding care they provided to her.


FUNERAL NOTICE: Funeral services for Dorothy May Radke, 88, who died February 22, 2014 will be held Friday at 11:00 AM at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Pittsfield conducted by the Rev. Cricket Cooper, rector. Burial will follow in Pittsfield Cemetery. Calling hours will be held Thursday from 4 to 8 PM at the DERY FUNERAL HOME in Pittsfield. Memorial donations in memory of Mrs. Radke may be made to the Berkshire Humane Society or to the American Cancer Society both in care of the funeral home, 54 Bradford St. Pittsfield, MA 01201.

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