Joanna R. Smith

GARDNER - Joanna R. (Woicek) Smith, 95, of 32 Greenwood Place, Gardner, died Saturday, January 28, 2012 in the Wachusett Manor Nursing Home, Gardner. She was born in Gardner, on September 24, 1916, the daughter of the late Karol Woicek and the late Katarzyna (Medrykowska) Woicek.            Mrs. Smith grew up in Gardner and was a life-long resident.             She was employed at JC Penney in Gardner many years ago. She worked for Thayer Manufacturing and O’Hearn’s in Gardner for several years before working in Inventory Control at Simplex Time Recorder for over 10 years, retiring in 1978.            Joanna was a communicant of St. Joseph's Church where she sang in the choir and was a member of the Holy Rosary Sodality; she was a member of the Polish Women’s Political Club; a member of the Gardner Women’s Club for 31 years; the Gardner Golden Age Club and the Adopt-a-grandparent program. She was most proud of being a member of the Gardner Golden Girls, a dance group that entertained at nursing homes and community events. She also helped research the immigration history of Poles to Gardner for Heritage Park and took part in the making of the Heritage Quilt.             She volunteered at the Heywood Hospital for many years. She volunteered and helped on many Red Cross blood drives as well as donated.              She enjoyed bowling and playing golf. She attended night classes at Mount Wachusett Community College; she enjoyed oil painting, woodcarving, knitting, sewing and gardening. Mrs. Smith was honored by the City of Gardner as a Greater Gardnerite for her "Community Involvement." She was one out of 100 honorees.             She leaves one daughter: Patricia Keresey of West Hartford, CT and one son: Stanley R. Smith and his wife Melanie Gallo of Ashburnham; eight grandchildren, Pamela Helin and her husband Todd of TX; Priscilla Keresey of NY; William Keresey III and his wife Elizabeth of CT; Alexandra Anderson and her husband Roine of TX; Stanley Smith, Jr. and his wife Tina of IL; Stephanie Smith of Westminster; Valerie Sullivan of Centerville, MA; Kassia Smith of Fitchburg; fourteen great grandchildren, Elizabeth Helin, Stephanie Helin and Eric Helin all of Texas, William Keresey IV, Samuel Keresey, Jed Keresey, Amelia Keresey and Carolina Keresey all of Connecticut; Linnea Anderson and Mattias Anderson of Texas; Katharine Smith of Illinois, Dillan Skamarycz, Madison Skamarycz and Emma Sullivan all of Centerville, MA; a cousin Waclaw Medrykowski of Gardner who made his home with her and her family for over 60 years; and four nieces. She was predeceased by her husband of 54 years, Stanley M. Smith who died in 1991; by two brothers, John Woicek and Henry Woicek, and by her sister, Stella Brzoska. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. in St. Joseph's Church, 358 Pleasant St., Gardner. Burial will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery. Calling hours will be held Tuesday, January 31, 2012 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Poliks Funeral Home 431 Pleasant St., Gardner. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made in her memory to Heywood Hospital, 250 Green Street, Gardner, MA 01440. For more information or to sign our online guest book please visit www.poliksfuneralhome.com. Poliks Funeral Home 431 Pleasant St., Gardner is directing arrangements. $(document).ready(function(){ });