RUSSELL – Elizabeth J. Oleksak “Betty”, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, March 7, 2013. She was born in Springfield on September 14, 1931 to George and Blanche Mills.Betty was the widow of Richard “Dick” Oleksak who died in March, 2011. Betty graduated from Holy Name High School and Springfield Hospital School of Nursing. She was a registered nurse for over 50 years and her love of children lead her to work as a school nurse. Betty worked in three elementary schools in the Gateway Regional School District over a period of 21 years. Betty was an active member of the Holy Family Church, formerly Our Lady Of the Rosary Church in Russell and the Russell Counsel of Aged. She enjoyed cross-stitch, quilting, word search puzzles and yoga. Most important to her, was spending time with her children and grandchildren.
Betty leaves four children and their spouses, Richard “Ric” Oleksak, Jr. of Oregon, Rick and Karen Aiken of Suffield, CT, David and Marybeth Oleksak of Blandford, and Tom and Beth Norton of Westfield. She also leaves behind her grandchildren:, Nicholas & Elyse Oleksak, Hannah Oleksak, Jessica Aiken, Emily Aiken, Richard & Nicole Oleksak, Kathryn Oleksak, Gregory Oleksak, Anne & Ally Norton-Graffum, and Benjamin Norton.
Calling hours are Monday, March 11th from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at Firtion Adams Funeral Home, 76 Broad Street, Westfield. The funeral service will be held Tuesday, March 12th at 10:00 a.m. from the funeral home followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. at the Holy Family Church, Route 20 Russell. The burial will immediately follow at St. Stanislaus Cemetery, 800 Montgomery St., Chicopee. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital (https://shop.stjude.org/GiftCatalog/donation) or by phone: 1-800-805-5856 or the American Heart Association (https://donate.americanheart.org/ecommerce/donation).
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