Joanna M. Chastney

ATHOL - It is with great sadness that the family of Joanna Chastney (95) announces her passing on Sunday, May 8, 2016. Joanna (Rimsa) Chastney was born in Athol, the daughter of Frank and Anna (Seseika) Rimsa. Her husband, Felix predeceased her in 1963. She is survived by 5 children. She leaves daughters: Genevieve( and husband Robert) Ryder, Mashpee, Mass, Cecelia (and husband Leland) Sherman, Heath, Mass, Rosemary Chastney, Petaluma California, Phyllis (and husband Robert) Kory, Los Angeles California; Son: James Chastney, Duanesburg, NY; 8 grandchildren: Larry and Keith Sherman,Phillip Chastney, Paul Ryder, Aileen DiBenedetto, and Julianne Dowd, Kevin and Ryan Kory; 6 great grandchildren: Dakota and Noah Sherman,Allison and Thomas Ryder, Meghan, Liam, and Brendan Dowd, Nicholas DiBenedetto; Brothers: Benedict( and wife Jen) Rimsa John Rimsa, Peter Rimsa, Donald (and wife Nancy) Rimsa. She leaves many cousins, nieces and nephews, friends and extended family, too numerous to name but not forgotten. She was predeceased by her brother Frank, and her sisters Geneva Polchlopek, and Christine Moore. Joanna graduated from Athol High School in 1937 and worked in the office of Anson Shoe Co., Athol, Hubbard Shoe Co. of Rochester NH, then was the head of the billing department at the UTD for 25 years until retirement. She was a communicant of St. Francis Church, President of the Woman’s Guild for 6 terms, and a member of the Knights of Lithuania. She had a great love for flowers expressed in her beautiful gardens and in the imaginative flower arrangements she created for St. Francis Church. She was happiest digging and weeding in her rock garden, peony and rose beds, and did so until her health prevented her from this. When the children visited there was always a little garden job they could help with. Joanna was a gourmet cook at home, and in her younger days enjoyed backyard barbecues and meals with friends and her very large extended family. Her house was always filled with activity with her children and all their friends visiting and an invite to dinner was always there. She was famous for her doll cakes she made for all the family birthdays. She had a passion for opera, theater and music, and never missed an opportunity to attend a performance. She passed this love on to her siblings and her children. She loved to travel, and she did so visiting her siblings and children scattered across the US. She had a fondness for the ocean and Cape Cod, and never missed an opportunity for a lobster/clam/oyster dinner. Lobster dinner was a regular feast at her kitchen table with her family and friends. Joanna was proud of her Lithuanian heritage, and one of her greatest joys was being able to visit Lithuania, the birthplace of her parents. She was always known for her Lithuanian kielbasa and kapusta dinners, and the many beautiful babka breads she baked so frequently on the weekends. She was a loving, compassionate woman and her faith remained a strong force throughout her life. She will be greatly missed by all her family and friends The family will receive friends on Friday, May 13 from 4-7 pm at the Fiske-­Murphy & Mack Funeral Home, 110 New Athol Rd., Orange. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday May 14 at 11 am at St. Francis Church, 101 Main St., Athol. Memorial Contributions may be made to Sharing Our Father’s Bread, c/o Our Lady Immaculate Church, 192 School St. Athol, MA 01331. To sign the online guestbook, please visit www.mackfamilyfh.com Fiske-Murphy & Mack Funeral Homer, 110 New Athol Rd., Orange, MA 01364.