Obituary of Christine Joanne Janik

South Hadley - Christine Joanne Janik, 76, passed away December 29, 2023 at her home. Born November 12, 1947 in Holyoke, MA, she was the daughter of Joseph E. and Joanne T. (Glavikas) Janik. Christine grew up in the Willimansett section of Chicopee, MA before moving to South Hadley Falls, where she lived for 66 years. She holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Retired, her love of knowledge was shared with her family and with hundreds of students at St. Stanislaus School in Chicopee, where she taught kindergarten for over 45 years. Hiking, reading, golf, tennis, canoeing, fishing, and Scrabble were her favorite pastimes. A lifelong nature lover, she especially enjoyed spending time in the Berkshires, Vermont, Cape Cod, and at Quabbin Reservoir. Her family fondly remembers the many outings that their "Auntie" took them on, always teaching them something along the way. Her love and memory will be cherished by her nieces Cheryl Gomez Blase of Seligman, AZ, Darlene Borowski of Holyoke, and Lori Ann Racine of Bristol, CT. She is also cherished by great nephews and nieces Joseph Collins of Oakland, CA, Kyle Reed of Bristol, CT, Lauren Murphy of Holyoke, and Genevieve Araujo of South Hadley. Kyle's children Hailey, Hannah, and Landon, all of Bristol, CT, also survive her. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her sister, Joanne F. Gomez, in 1988. Beers & Story South Hadley Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. Services will be privately held for the family. For those wishing, donations may be made in her honor to a charity of one’s choice to honor her love of nature and / or her devotion to the Catholic faith.