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Joan E. Rivers
1947 - 2015 NORTH ADAMS Mrs. Joan Ellen (Lubowicz) Rivers, 67, of 435 Reservoir Rd., died on Tuesday, Jan. 13, at Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston. She was born in Adams on Dec. 26, 1947, daughter of the late Edwin and Helen (Leja) Lubowicz. She attended schools in Adams and graduated from the former Adams High School with the class of 1965. She then went on to receive her Bachelor's Degree in Science and Elementary Education from the former North Adams State College in 1969. Mrs. Rivers worked for many years as a teacher for the North Adams Public Schools until her retirement. She had also worked for the Grinell Law Firm in Williamstown. She was a communicant of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church, North Adams. She was a member of the Friends of the North Adams Library, the North Adams Teachers Association, the Massachusetts Teachers Association and the National Teachers Association. Joan loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She was an outdoor enthusiast, enjoying skiing, cycling and walking with her friends. She enjoyed her house in Vermont, hiking the White Mountains of New Hampshire and traveling to the ocean and islands. She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Gary F. Rivers, whom she married on Nov. 22, 1969; two sons, John Rivers and his wife, Nancy, of Savannah, Ga, and Christopher Rivers and his wife, Jennifer, of Clifton Park, N.Y.; one brother, Ronald Lubowicz and his wife, Barbara, of Lubbock, Texas; six grandchildren, Brice, Andrew, Lauren, Hayley, Nicholas and Derek; as well as two nieces, Katy and Jenny. FUNERAL NOTICE: The funeral will be on Saturday, Jan. 17, at 9 a.m. from the PACIOREK FUNERAL HOME, 13 Hoosac St., Adams, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Adams, celebrated by the Rev. Steven Montesanti, Pastor. Burial will follow in Southview Cemetery, North Adams. Calling hours are Friday from 4 - 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to the Friends of the North Adams Library, 74 Church St., North Adams, MA 01247 or Pop Cares, P.O. Box 482, Williamstown, MA 01267 To leave a message of condolence, or for directions, please go online to www.paciorekfuneral.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Gary, our sincerest sympathies go out to you and your family. May god be with you all and may you cherish the wonderful memories always.
Earl & Sandy Ingalls
January 20, 2015
To Gary and Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Jan (Barranger) O'Leary, Lanesborough, MA
January 19, 2015
Gary, John and family, Chris and family, and Aunt Agnes and Uncle Frank, so sorry for your loss. She is with the Angels watching down on you all. "May the stars carry your sadness away. May the flowers fill your heart with beauty. May hope forever wipe away your tears. And, above all, may silence make you strong. "
Gene and Dawn Brady
January 19, 2015
My sympathy to the family. I know Joan as a wonderful teacher.
Jacquie Locke
January 18, 2015
I'm so very sorry to hear about Joan. My prayers are with your family at this sad time.
Maureen Moore
January 17, 2015
Gary, I am so sorry for your loss.
Vince Pesce
January 16, 2015
Gary and Family, I am so sorry for your loss. Will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers. Beth
Beth Ziemba
January 16, 2015
Dear Gary,
I still remember the fun we had on those Thursday evening bike rides...your Joan was amazing! Her strength, courage and sense of humor were an inspiration. I am so sad for you, especially, and for all of us.
Sincerely,
Liz
Elizabeth Martin
January 16, 2015
Shall miss this Lady...
Herman Bishop
January 16, 2015
Gary, We are so sorry to hear of Joans passing.She always went out of here way to wave or stop and talk and update me on family or some adventure she was enduring, Keep her close to your Heart, God Bless
Mike and Regina Fierro
January 16, 2015
Gary and family
We are so very sorry to learn of Joanie's passing. Even though we have not seen you for years we always loved joanie and her wonderful, happy personality. I have so many great memories of our college sleepovers and special friendship.So very sad. God bless you and your family.
Ann and Tom Lamb
January 15, 2015
Gary,
John, Chris, Ron & families,
Thoughts and prayers of sympathy to all of you at this difficult time. Joan always had such a kind heart and strong will to live which she fought so hard for. I know I will truly miss her. She is now at Peace, may memories of her love & smile see you through the days ahead.
PEACE
Jane Nevares
January 15, 2015
What a great person. I was lucky enough to have Mrs. Rivers as a 4th grade teacher many years ago. So sorry to all of her family members and friends for you loss.
Kate
January 15, 2015
Gary and family,
So so so sorry for your loss. She was such a sweet sweet person that everyone loved and everyone will miss!
You are in my thoughts,
Kim Boudreau-Brown
January 15, 2015
Gary
We were saddened to hear of Joan's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Mark and Cindy Vadnais
January 15, 2015
Condolences from all of us here at The Spoke. A while ago, a former employee was visiting us at the shop, and he was asking after Gary and Joanie. His memory of them was very strong, he remembered them as a shining example of what married life could be. He held them up as the most memorable, most engaged, most in-love couple he knew. And we agree.
Joanie took all her health challenges gracefully, endured great hardships with the unfailing support of Gary and her family.We will miss her, she has touched many lives.
Paul Rinehart
January 15, 2015
I am deeply saddened.
Joe Cain
January 15, 2015
Gary,Ron,John,Chris and families, condolances from Florida. We have very many happy memories of times spent at Aunt Helen's with all of you. Love and prayers from all. Betty Delisle and Family y
Betty Delisle
January 15, 2015
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