Joan Marie (Dabrowney) Ostrowski; Lanesborough, Massachusetts.

Joan left us while resting at home with family after a long illness on September 21, 2014. Joan was born in Norwood, Massachusetts on August 9, 1942 and was educated in schools there, graduating from Norwood High School in 1960. Joan then attended the Catherine Labouré School of Nursing at the Carny Hospital in South Boston. Upon graduation she began a long career in nursing as an operating room (O.R.) nurse, beginning at the Norwood Hospital for three years. Marriage to Tom Ostrowski of Revere, Massachusetts in 1966 prompted a move to Pittsfield and then Lanesborough, where she was employed as an O.R. nurse for two years at Pittsfield General Hospital. In 1968 she put her career on hold to begin her family and raise her three children in Lanesborough.
Joan was very active in church activities, teaching catechism classes for many years at the North American Martyrs Catholic Church in Berkshire Village. She was also a Eucharistic Minister for many years, and practiced her love and devotion to the Blessed Mother. During this time she was awarded the St. Pius X medal for her noteworthy service in the Catholic faith at a ceremony at Saint Joseph's church in Pittsfield. Upon joining St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Cheshire, she became a choir member, continuing her ministry. Music was woven into many parts of her life, and as a young girl she sang ethnic Lithuanian songs on the radio in the Boston area.
As her family matured, Joan continued her O.R. career at the North Adams Memorial Hospital, and then transferred back to the Berkshire Medical Center O.R. nursing staff. She worked there for thirty years before retiring in 2010.
Joan was devoted to her family and was proud to help finance all her children's college education by working extra call and providing moral support and encouragement.
She enjoyed reading mystery novels and watching the many light mystery novellas on television. She enjoyed sewing for her family and cooking special Slavic dishes that her family enjoyed, particularly around traditional Christmas and Easter holidays. The holidays also included many ethnic Slavic traditions relating to home décor.
Joan especially liked traveling with her husband Tom on his Dragon Boat racing exploits all over the world. And delighted in delivering the invocation prayer at the team's special November Thanksgiving dinner in South Africa where the restaurant had to "send" for turkey for the meal, and needed a tutorial on the USA traditional meal accoutrements. But a very special moment for her was holding a cuddling koala bear in Queensland, Australia. She absolutely went over the edge attending London's sensational new theater musical in 1999 of "Ma Ma Mia" before it came to the U.S. years later.
Through Joan's health decline she was positive and constantly worked at maintaining a high level of contribution toward her well-being. Her faith was important in this endeavor and her strength and grace were inspiring.
She leaves her husband of 48 years and care giver Tom; her daughter Susan Ransden (Jeffrey) and their children Mitchell and Emmett of Fairfield, Connecticut; Kenneth Ostrowski (Michelle) and their children Madison and Marissa of Cheshire, Massachusetts; and Sonya Wells (Thomas Jr.) and their daughter Jordan of Pittsfield, Massachusetts. She also leaves her sister Patricia Dabrowney of Norwood, Massachusetts. She was predeceased by her parents John and Isabel (Goba) Dabrowney of Norwood, MA. – A memorable and wondrous journey. God Bless.

FUNERAL NOTICE
Funeral services for Joan Marie Ostrowski will be FRIDAY , September 26, 2014 with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 159 Church Street, Cheshire, with Rev. David Raymond, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in Mountainview Cemetery in Lanesborough. Calling hours will be THURSDAY from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the DERY FUNERAL HOME, 54 Bradford Street, Pittsfield. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Mary's Church in care of the funeral home.

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