Dawne A. Birtz, 69

WORCESTER - Dawne A. Birtz, 69, of Worcester, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 7, 2018 at UMass Medical Center.

Dawne was born in Worcester, the daughter of the late Wilfred J. and Julia L. (Tromovitch) Birtz. She graduated from St. Stephen's High School. Dawne received a bachelor's degree from Our Lady of the Elms, a master's degree in psychology from Assumption College and later her degree for licensed social working from Boston College.

Dawne worked as a licensed independent clinical social worker for 33 years at various companies including Worcester County Hospital and Fallon Hospice. She was also a volunteer at the Aids Ministry. Dawne was very active in her community. She was a founding member of the St. Katherine Drexel Circle, a member of Daughters of Isabella and a past state regent. Dawne was faithful member of St. Stephen's Church where she participated in the choir, was a eucharistic minister and involved with RCIA. Dawne believed family came first. She enjoyed spending time with all her family because they were of the utmost importance to her.

Dawne is survived by her sister-in-law, Royanne Birtz of Orange Park, FL; four nephews, James Birtz and his wife Jen of Georgia, Jeffrey Birtz of Florida, D. Mark Birtz and his wife Donna of Charlton and Stephen Birtz and his wife JoAnn of North Grafton; four nieces, Lisa Poutre and her husband Daryll of Florida, Susan Ducharme and her husband Francis , Marianne Gemme and her husband Edward all of Rutland and Sandra Evans of Grafton; several great nieces, great nephews, cousins and friends. Beside her parents, she is predeceased by three brothers, Wilfred E. Birtz, Bennett Birtz and Durwood Birtz; two nephews, Brian Birtz and David Birtz.

Her Memorial Mass will be held on Monday, October 22, 2018 at 10:30 am at St. Stephen's Church,357 Grafton St., Worcester. Burial will be held privately. There are no calling hours. MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St., Worcester is honored to have assisted the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to: St. Stephen's Church, 357 Grafton St., Worcester, MA. 01604 or St. Katherine Drexel Scholarship Fund, c/o Deborah Slavinskas, 16 Harold St., Worcester, MA. 01604. To share your thoughts and memories of Dawne, please visit her personal guestbook at www.mercadantefuneral.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Worcester Telegram & Gazette from Oct. 17 to Oct. 19, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Dawne Birtz

Sponsored by Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel - Worcester.

19 Entries

Kim Dipersia

November 1, 2018

Dawne and I were CCD teachers and then did the RCIA at St. Stephens. She was a very loving and spiritual person. May God bless her. Rest in Peace.

Nancy Durkin

October 22, 2018

Holding Dawne in my thoughts and prayers. May she know peace.

Mary Bobola

October 22, 2018

I worked with Dawne at the former Fallon Clinic. She was a very dedicated and hard-working Social Worker and community volunteer. May she rest in the arms of the Lord.

Catherine Dadah

October 21, 2018

I was very sad to hear that my Cousin Dawn had passed away. She was a very kind, caring , thoughtful, and loving cousin who blessed the lives of all who knew her. She was close to my Mom , Judy Mattress, and extended that genuine love and concern to all of her children. I sang with her in St. Stephen's Adult Choir for Several years and enjoyed sharing our love of singing and praising God together. I pray that Dawn Anne's family will be consoled in knowing that she is at peace, and no longer suffering. I also pray hat friends and family will be there for them in their time of need. I love you My dear Cousin, and I know God has prepared a special place for you, where you are now surrounded with family and friends who have gone before you. Enjoy Heaven!

Sara Torres

October 21, 2018

Dawne was present in my life from the day I was born. She treated me like a daughter and she was like a Mom to me.
As my Godmother she instilled good values in me, contributed to my life in every way possible with her presence. Dawne and I had a very special relationship. I will miss you Dawne and think of you everyday. Thank you for all of you guidance, help, and love. Your in Gods hands and pain free now. I love you!!!

Kathy Bender

October 20, 2018

So sorry to hear of Dawnes passing. I worked with her at Worcester County Hospital many years ago and she was such a kind, loving and generous person who made an impact on the many families she encountered as a social worker...may she rest in peace

Connie Amoroso

October 19, 2018

So saddened to hear about Dawne's passing she was a lovely person may she be at peace

Pat McHugh

October 19, 2018

I am very saddened to hear of Dawne's passing. She and I were dear friends for many, many years - though sadly - commitments, time and distance separated us. And while I hadn't seen her in a long time she was in my thoughts often and will continue to be. I'll never forget her kind heart, compassionate loving soul and beautiful voice. We sang together for many years in the St. Stephen's choir, we went here and there together, shared a lot of laughter as well as tears and worked side by side in the Daughters of Isabella. Dawne had many trials in her life to overcome, she did so with amazing strength, faith and grace and I am certain she is celebrating in heaven with all the angels and saints and those who went on before her. I love you Dawne. God bless you...Rest in peace until we meet again...your pain is no more. May you soar on the wings of the eagles and watch over all your loved ones left behind...and may God hold His faithful servant in the palm of his hand. "To live in the hearts of those who love us is never to die, you will live on Dawne in countless hearts...including mine. " Thank you for the love and lessons you shown me over the years.

Paula Meoli (Fontaine)

October 19, 2018

Dawn and I were friends from the time before we even entered school. I spent hours at her house. Rest In Peace, sweet Dawne.

Karen Bermacki

October 18, 2018

To Dawne's Family - Know you're in our thoughts and prayers. Those were the days at Saint Stephen's School - her and her mom's kindness and warmth made our lives so much better. Rest in peace friend and God Bless - Karen (Jessie) Bernacki & family, Northborough MA.

Paul Neslusan

October 18, 2018

As with so many of Saint Stephen's graduates, she embodied the ideal of giving back to society rather than taking from it. Rest in peace Dawne.

Jacquelyn Catino Volke

October 18, 2018

God Bless Dawne! We were classmates for twelve years at St. Stephen's. Her mom was our crossing guard and also our teacher after school in her ceramics studio. Dawne was such a dear friend in my early years. I pray that she is now with Terry, Donna, and all the others who have left us from the class of '66.

Diane Trayah

October 18, 2018

I started knowing through the Daughters of Isabella almost 18 years ago. Since she founded our circle, she was truly instrumental in getting new members familiar with the Order. She held the vice regent position and then onto local regent and then moved up to the state level years later. She motivated me in doing more the order than I ever anticipated whenever working with her on all levels. Our friendship grew over the years.She was truly an instrumental person on many levels. She leaves a huge whole in my heart but I am glad I got to know this Sister in Christ. May God keep her in the Palm of HIS hand.

Brenda McCarthy Trayah

October 18, 2018

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

Paula Pietro-Malmquist

October 17, 2018

To Dawne's family, I am so sorry for the loss of such a beautiful person. I remember Dawne and her mom at church every week. They both were the sweetest and kindest two people. Know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers.. Rest easy Dawn, God Blees

Judy Dunn

October 17, 2018

So sorry to hear of Dawne's passing. I fondly remember Dawne from my years at St. Stephen's High School. For over 47 years I have displayed the Rosewood Ceramic Nativity she and her mom made for me one Christmas. It has become a focal point of my family's Christmas celebration each year as I share its story with my children and grandchildren. Know that she will be in my thoughts and daily prayers for the many kindnesses not only to me but to all throughout her life. God Bless.

Judy Dunn

October 17, 2018

Dawn was a very wonderful , thoughtful, caring student of mine
at St. Stephen's Central Catholic High School in the 1960's.
There is nothing she would not offer to do for me. I send my deepest thoughts of
Sympathy to all mentioned in this Obituary. I would like her family and close friends to know that one Christmas season Dawne rang the Convent doorbell with what became a treasured Gift during my entire life. She and her beloved Mother made for me a gorgeous Rosewood ceramic Nativity set complete from Angel to the Wisemen and all between. Each piece was carved with my initials. I have displayed it every Christmas for 47 years. Our loss is Heaven s gain. She lived Admirably her entire lifetime! Rest In Peace dearest Dawne. .I will See You In My Dreams. My Love.
Formerly : Sr. Louise Michael. ( now Judy Curran Dunn)

Maureen ORourke

October 17, 2018

So sorry to hear about Dawne's passing. She was a lovely person.

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