RUSSELL, MA – Barbara (Pitoniak) Kochanek, 84, passed away Thursday, August 15, 2013 at home. Born in Westfield to the late Stephen and Sophie (Swotchak) Pitoniak.
Barbara was educated in the Westfield schools graduating from Westfield High School in 1947. She was employed in the office as a cashier at the former W.T. Grants Co. in both Holyoke and Westfield. Barbara was also a teller at the former BayBank in Westfield for 22 years.
She was predeceased by her husband, Frederick R Kochanek Sr. in 1989. Barbara is survived by two sons, Frederick R Kochanek Jr. and his former wife Donna of Blandford and Alan Kochanek and his wife Debbie of Russell; one daughter, Christine Provost of Summerville, SC. She was the proud grandmother to Stephen F Kochanek and Lauren M Kochanek and great-grandmother of Madison. Barbara also leaves four sisters, Eleanore Dinneen, Joanne Perryman, Carolyn Pirola, and Phyllis Casey, and one brother, Phillip Pitoniak and many nieces and nephews. Besides her husband, Barbara was predeceased by a brother, Stephen Pitoniak and a sister, Marilyn Lockwood.
A graveside service will take place Saturday, August 17th at the Russell Cemetery in Russell, MA. There are no calling hours. The Robert E Cusack Funeral Home, Westfield, is assisting the family with the arrangements.
