Helen Tarjack

NORTH ADAMS -- Helen Veronica Tarjack (Twardzik), 92, formerly of 12 Union St., died Saturday at Mont Marie Health Care Center in Holyoke, where she had resided since 1999.

Born in the Housatonic section of Great Barrington on Jan. 2, 1911, daughter of Thomas and Frances Krzynowek Packlick, she was educated in schools there.

Mrs. Tarjack had been employed by the former Monument Mills and by Rising Paper Co. After moving to Pittsfield, she worked at the former Elmvale Worsted Co. and at the former Pittsfield General Hospital in the housekeeping department.

She was a communicant of All Saints’ Church in Housatonic and a member of its Children of Mary Group, the Rosary Society and St. Cecilia’s Choir. While in Pittsfield, she was a communicant of Holy Family Church and a member of its Rosary Sodality and the Third Order of St. Francis of Assisi.

She served as a companion to the elderly and infirm women in Pittsfield and also as a “grandmother” to children and young adult residents of Vesper Hills, now Berkshire Meadows in Great Barrington. She was chosen as “Miss Poland” in a local beauty contest. She enjoyed polka dances at the Polish American Club in Housatonic and playing bingo, and took tai chi lessons at age 81.

Her husband, Michael W. Tarjack (Twardzik), whom she married Oct. 17, 1936, died May 2, 1968.

She leaves a son, the Rev. Michael W.T. Twardzik, pastor of St. Francis-Notre Dame and Our Lady of Mercy parishes in North Adams; a sister, Bessie Williams of Topsfield, and two brothers, Frank Packlick of South Egremont and Harry Packlick of Miami.

FUNERAL NOTICE -- A Liturgy of Christian Burial for Helen Veronica Tarjack (Twardzik) will be celebrated Wednesday, March 19, at 1:30 at Holy Family Church, 133 Seymour St., Pittsfield, by the Rev. Michael W.T. Twardzik as principal celebrant. Burial will follow in the family lot in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Pittsfield. Calling hours will be Wednesday from 10 until 1 at Holy Family Church. Donations may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph in care of FLYNN & DAGNOLI-MONTAGNA HOME FOR FUNERALS, 74 Marshall St., North Adams, MA 01247, which is in charge of arrangements. Survivors include 33 nieces and nephews. Two brothers and a sister, Mary Potash, Stanley Packlick and Benny Packlick, are deceased.