Elizabeth (Jwaszewski) Michniewicz

GARDNER - GARDNER - Elizabeth (Jwaszewski) Michniewicz, 92 of 116 Church Street, Gardner, died after a brief illness on Tuesday, February 21, 2012 with her loving children by her side.     Elizabeth was born in Gardner on December 12, 1919, the daughter of Bernard and Leonarda (Urymowicz) Jwaszewski. She was raised in Gardner until relocating to East Templeton with her family during her teen years. She graduated as class valedictorian from Templeton High School in 1938. Her love of learning continued throughout her lifetime. Upon marriage, she returned to Gardner to raise her family and to live for over seventy years. In her younger years, Elizabeth had many and varied interests, and was fully engaged with her community, family, and neighborhood. She skillfully adapted through many significant changes in both the world and in her personal life.     She worked as a professional stitcher, retiring in 1984, being employed by local companies including: the former Gardner Craftsman, Heywood Wakefield, R. Smith and LaRoche Brothers. Ms. Michniewicz was a communicant of St. Joseph's Church in Gardner and a former member of the Church’s Holy Rosary Sodality. She was very active with the church in her younger years and was a faithful contributor throughout her life.     Elizabeth’s enjoyments were varied, and her natural curiosity and inquisitiveness kept her fascinated with many elements of life. She was a pioneering “coupon queen”, actively involved in couponing as well as refunding. Her television preferences were that of stimulating, engaging, and educational programming.     Elizabeth was proudly independent with a positive outlook despite many hardships she encountered in her life. She was a devoted, exceedingly generous mother who successfully instilled the value of lifelong education and hard work in her children and grandchildren. Elizabeth was a beloved woman and retained her intellect and sense of humor until the day she died. She was an exceptional woman who offered many useful pearls of wisdom to her entire family over her many years.     She is survived by her three children, Ysabella Bradley and her husband Ron of Long Beach, CA, Edward Michniewicz and his wife Doris of Loudon, NH, Linda Langevin and her husband Brian of Phillipston; ten grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.     She was predeceased by two brothers, Frank Jwaszewski and Joseph Ivers; also by two sisters, Stasia Jwaszewski and Mary Kwasny.     A celebration of Elizabeth’s life will be held in the early summer at the convenience of the family. At her request, there will be no calling hours.     In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made in her memory to the charity of one's choice. $(document).ready(function(){ });