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FUNERAL HOME
74 Marshall Street
North Adams, Massachusetts
Tina-Marie Leja Obituary
Born in North Adams on April 1, 1962, she was the daughter of Bernard Vincent and Mary (Florini) Germanowski of 10 Hodges Cross Road, North Adams. She was educated in city schools and graduated from Drury High School with the Class of 1980. She was class salutatorian at graduation. She also graduated from Smith College in Northampton with the Class of 1984, majoring in English with honors.
Following graduation, she joined the Hewlett-Packard Corp. and, following her company training, she was employed with the company in Fort Collins-Greeley, Colo. for the past 19 years, specializing as a learning system architect.
She was a communicant of St. Elizabeth Seton Church, Fort Collins and taught Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) at the church. While a resident of North Adams, she was a communicant of St. Anthony of Padua Church.
She was a member of the Rocky Mountain Society for Technical Communications and the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Association of Computing Machines Special Interest Group on Computer-Human Interaction (ACM-SIG-CHI).
Besides her parents, she leaves a brother John B. Germanowski, and his wife, Deborah (Bourquard) Germanowski, of Lenox, and a nephew, Matthew J. Germanowski of Lenox.
FUNERAL NOTICE -- Funeral services for Tina-Marie Leja will take place Friday, Feb. 6, 9:30 a.m., at the Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, Central Chapels, 74 Marshall St., North Adams. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. in St. Anthony of Padua Church, 64 Marshall St., North Adams, with the Rev. Daniel J. O’Hear, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in Southview Cemetery, North Adams.
Calling hours are Thursday, Feb. 5, 4-7 p.m., at the funeral home.
Donations may be made to the Larimer County Humane Society or the charity of the donor’s choice through the funeral home
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Tina-Marie Leja
Linda Bilsing
February 12, 2004
In October, Tina Marie was part of our group that volunteered at Wilderness Ranch. The ranch rescues, rehabilitates, and provides permanent sanctuary for abused farm animals. Their philosophy of “eat tofu, not turkey” really aligned with Tina Marie’s beliefs. I remember that one of our jobs at the ranch was to shovel pig manure into wheelbarrows. One enormous pig kept wanting us to pet him instead. When we ignored him, he would tip over the wheelbarrow. I’ll never forget Tina Marie’s tiny voice saying, rather ineffectively, “Shoo. Shoo pig.” We finally found it easier to move the wheelbarrow away from the pig. I believe that Tina Marie is now in a special place with lots of animals, including all the pigs, chickens and cows she never ate.
Nancy Shepard
February 12, 2004
I worked with Tina Marie for several years at HP in Greeley. She was always such a caring and sensitive person and so delightful to work with. I stayed in touch with her after I left HP and recently she had told me about her horse that she loved so much. I am so saddened with her loss and my thoughts are with her family during this difficult time. Thank you, Tina-Marie, you made a difference in my life that I will never forget.
Patty Lord Kasuba
February 11, 2004
To the Germanowski Family
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. My memories of Tina are during high school. She was a bright student and lots of fun to be with. I was fortunate to have caught up with her again a couple of years ago at a Fall Foliage parade. It was nice to see that she hadn't changed at all. She was a great person and friend and will be missed.
Douglas Gennetten
February 11, 2004
For those of you from HP, you may want to contribute notes or photos (for free) to our internal web site. All posts will be forwarded on to the family.
Robert Evans
February 7, 2004
The prevecious one-of-a-kind that is Tina Marie touched my soul deeply and joy-fully. I will always be thankfull for that. To her family... I am so sorry for your loss. She loved you all so greatly. Thank you for nurishing her so well with your love.
"Her wonder-full joy...
with giggles that tickle God,
& all who love her."
Nancy Waldrop
February 7, 2004
I met Tina-Marie a number of years ago when we were roomates at the Franciscan Center in Scottsdale. We stayed up half the night laughing and giggling, which became our theme over the years. I've not known a sweeter, more gentle, caring soul than she. I will miss her. To her dear family, I send you love, peace, and a knowing that she will always be in our hearts.
Janice Cooper
February 6, 2004
My heart goes out to the family of Tina-Marie and may you find comfort during this time in knowing how much she was loved by everyone who knew her. Her wonderful smile and laugh made her entire face light up as well as mine! I will miss her but will always remember her!
Mark Carleton
February 6, 2004
I’ve worked with Tina-Marie since 1997. She was a remarkable woman. She had an intensity and dedication that she brought to everything she did. Tina-Marie took her work very seriously. But she also had a great sense of humor. She was a warm person who cared about others. She loved life and always had a spark in her eyes. I miss her smile and her laugh. I will never forget her.
Harolyn Ellison
February 5, 2004
Tina-Marie introduced herself to me almost a decade ago by saying something very kind that touched me & that I have always remembered. I am sure that is very much her way. My deepest sympathies to Tina-Marie's family on your loss.
Jim Greuel
February 5, 2004
I am thankful I had the pleasure to work with Tina-Marie for a time. She was an upbeat, positive light in the world. My sympathies to her loved ones.
Lonnie Sue Sutton
February 5, 2004
Through one of the many miracles of life, my path crossed with this lovely human, Tina Marie. She was on the interview team that hired me into HP's Colorado Networks Division in August 1987. That is where our story together began...but it was the least of such a life-altering, profound tale. She has always and will always be near to my heart and Soul. I will miss her presence here, and her infectious laughter and smile. To Tina Marie's family, may you find joy in knowing how deeply and broadly her love was felt during her brief visit here on Earth. I find comfort in 'knowing' she is in Magnificent Hands.
DeAnnaKay Swetzig
February 5, 2004
I worked with Tina-Marie over many years. During this time we discovered we had like interests in our spirituality and intense love for horses. As I process her transition through the continum of life and beyond, I realize how close we were and how much we have shared over the years. I have many fond memories. Tina-Marie is a blessing to my life.
Douglas Gennetten
February 5, 2004
Besides being the boundlessly impassioned and energetic colleague many of us are familiar with, Tina Marie often provided those around her cubical at hp with a delightfully unpredictable source of entertainment. Every couple weeks or so, she would start the morning bouncing around in a tizzy of frustration over something work related. But what made it so delightfully entertaining was how she – and only she – could exude animated frustration combined with an indefinably captivating joy, sparkle and enthusiasm.
I will miss that.
Douglas
February 5, 2004
Carl Dierschow
February 5, 2004
Tina-Marie was such a gracious and giving soul. We'll miss her.
David Schwaab
February 5, 2004
Tina-Marie was one of those few, uniquely delightful individuals that we come across all too-infrequently in our lives. She touched each one of us, gave all of us joy, and she will be missed very much.
Karen Williams
February 5, 2004
I feel lucky to have had a very nice conversation with Tina-Marie two days before she passed. She was in a very happy place in her life, and I'm glad for that. It would be Tina-Marie's desire that we notice and take care of the environment that we live in, and I will honor that more because of her influence.
Cynthia Arey
February 5, 2004
I send such love to you in honor and immense appreciation for knowing Tina Marie. I will never forget the tinkle in her soft eyes, her innocent surprise look when sweet thoughts came to her, her strength in her softness. Tina Marie will always be a dear, dear friend in my heart, in my soul.....
Linda Elden
February 5, 2004
Tina-Marie was a very special light. I'm not sure she understood what an impact she has had on this planet. She will be dearly missed.
Carol Kemp
February 4, 2004
My prayers go out Tina Marie’s family and friends. I will miss her positive attitude, her smile and her contagious laugh most of all. She was such a kind and caring person. She even took the time to walk clear across our campus at HP to deliver some of her homemade Baklava to me just before Christmas. She touched many lives in such a positive way.
David Erickson
February 4, 2004
I first met Tina-Marie when I joined HP in 1986. I will always remember her cheery smile, her bright eyes, and the glissando of her laugh. Peace to all who knew Tina-Marie.
Tim Antonsen
February 4, 2004
Tina-Marie was a friend and, some years ago, a co-worker. I knew her as determined, cheerful, gentle and caring. She never lost faith in the inherent goodness of people. It's a rare thing. The world will be poorer without her.
Bob Gann
February 4, 2004
I was blessed to know and work with Tina-Marie for many years here in Fort Collins. She was a joy to know - a person of Grace and humor - probably quite unaware of how much she meant to many of us. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of loss.
Linda Kennedy
February 4, 2004
Her laugh and view of life was so unique and infectious. She was such an advocate for the customer in her work and pushed us all to do "what was right". My prayers go out to you.
patricia mutch
February 4, 2004
Tina Marie was part of our spiritual family for many years and I always enjoyed my contact with her. She had a great sense of humor and was always bubbly with people. She will be missed.
Deanna Osborne
February 4, 2004
Dear Mary, Bernie, John & family,
Tina Marie is such a dear soul. She was the most positive, bubbly people I know. My life has been so enriched by Tina Marie ever since I spent the summer of 83 with her in California through HP. Her spirit is with us always. Thanks Tina Marie for your love, support and wisdom!
Much love,
Deanna
Laurie Barbuto Economidy
February 4, 2004
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Tina and I lost track of each other for a while but we found each other again and it felt like old times. I was so fortunate to know Tina for all these years and will always remember the great times we had growing up together in North Adams.
Melody Traugut-Luttmann
February 3, 2004
John and family,
Each person who enters our life, each spirit that accompanies us upon or journey, leaves us forever changed and enriched. I am so sorry for your loss.
Jerry Day
February 3, 2004
I worked with Tina Marie at Hewlett-Packard for a number of years. She was one of the first people I met there. I haven't seen her in a number of years as our paths diverged, but I will miss her as will many others. She is in a better place.
Patty Lopez
February 3, 2004
Words cannot express our sorrow at your loss. Working with Tina Marie was a joy - she was open to new ideas, she never took herself too seriously, and she really cared about the products she worked on and the people she worked with. We will miss her warmth, her laugh and sense of humor, and we will keep her ever in our hearts.
Patty
Susan Musacchio
February 3, 2004
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Aunt Mary, Uncle Bernie and John during this very difficult time. I am so grateful for her visit last fall and for the special times we had together growing up.
We will always remember her.
With sincere condolences,
Susan Germanowski Musacchio and Family
Therese Eby
February 3, 2004
My memories of Tina-Marie, though distant, are warm. When growing up, it was always a treat to play with my little cousin when our families got together. I am sad this gentle and sweet-tempered angel is gone, especially so young. My heart goes out to you, who must bear this terrible loss.
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