Obituary of Jennie J. Lebida

" Genevieve J. “Jennie” Lebida, 80, of Depot St, died Friday, Oct. 1 at Wing Memorial Hospital. She was born in Palmer July 29, 1924, and was the daughter of the late Joseph and Josephine Sawicki of Three Rivers. Jennie was a graduate of Palmer High School, class of 1942. She was employed at the former Tampax Incorporated and was a member of the original Tampax Women's Softball Team. Jennie proudly supported the war effort during World War II as an employee of the Springfield Armory. Jennie's lifework, however, was as a caregiver for the elderly and for individuals with disabilities, working for eight years at the Belchertown State School and for a number of years as a visiting nurse with the Quaboag Valley VNA. Jennie also enjoyed her volunteer work with children as a math tutor at Franklin School in Belchertown. Jennie was an avid fan of professional baseball and football, loved to create beautiful pieces of crocheting, loved flowers and gardening, and for the past twenty years traveled extensively across the United States and Europe. Most important to Jennie were her late husband, her six daughters, Marie, Susan and Barbara Lebida all of Three Rivers, Jeanne Lebida with whom she lived, Carol Beaudoin of Thorndike, and Margo Lebida of Holyoke, as well as her four grandchildren Theodore MacKenzie, Michael and Eric Fauteux and Amanda Lebida. She will also be deeply missed by her brother Steven Sawick of Three Rivers, and her sister Stephanie Libera of Thorndike. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who always put the needs of others before her own. Jennie was also anxiously awaiting the birth of her first great grandchild. Jennie will finally be reconciled with her beloved husband of twenty-seven years, Albert F. Lebida, who died in 1977. Besides her husband, her two sisters, Sophie Wegiel and Helen Tew, predeceased her. Those who loved her will sadly miss her. Funeral services will be Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. from the Beers & Story Palmer Funeral Home, 1475 N. Main St, followed by a liturgy of Christian burial at 10:00 a.m. in Sts. Peter & Paul Church, followed by burial in Sts. Peter & Paul Cemetery. Calling hours are Monday from 2:00 – 4:00 and 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. A video tribute of her life will be played during calling hours. Donations may be made in her memory to the family for the continued care of her precious daughter Jeanne. "