Obituary of Bernice K. Ciolek

On April 20, 2020, Bernice Katherine Ciolek (Haber), known as "Auntie B" and "Junie" by her loving family, of South Hadley passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 93. She was born on September 6, 1926 in South Hadley to the late Andrew and Sophia (Adamczyk) Haber. Bernice graduated from South Hadley High School and the Holyoke Hospital School of Nursing. She worked for many years as a Registered Nurse and Night Supervisor at Holyoke Hospital and the Holyoke Geriatric Center before retiring. She was an active and faithful member of St. Theresa’s Parish in South Hadley and enjoyed years of instructing CCD classes and involvement in the St. Theresa’s Women’s Group. Bernice loved to cook, attend her sons and grandkids’ sporting events, cheer on the Red Sox, tend to her gardens, and watch the many birds, especially cardinals, that frequented her bird feeders. Most of all, she enjoyed just spending time with her family and grandchildren. She will be dearly missed by her husband of 60 years, Michael Sr., their four sons, Michael Jr. and wife Mary (Sears), Paul and wife Katie (Greaney), John and wife Lisa (Mandl), and Tom Ciolek. She is also survived by her sister Evelyn "Penny" Sigda of FL, ten grandchildren: Michael III, Melissa, Paul, Grace, Joe, Alisha, T.J., Imogen, Colin and Simon, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brothers, John, Stanley, Freddie and Joe Haber, and her sisters, Mary Gwozdz and Annie Labonte. The family will hold a private service and burial. A Memorial Mass for friends and family will be held at a date yet to be determined. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Huntington’s Disease Society of America, 505 Eighth Avenue, Suite 902, New York, NY 10018 or online at www.hdsa.org or to the Center of Hope Foundation, P.O. Box 66, Southbridge, MA 01550 or online at www.thecenterofhope.org.  For more information or to sign the online guest book, please visit www.beersandstory.com.