HOLYOKE – Joanna M. Gusky, 70, a lifelong resident of Pleasant Street in the Highlands section of Holyoke, was Called Safely Home on Tuesday, July 25, 2017. She passed into Eternal Life from her home surrounded by all the memories that she loved and cherished. She was born in Holyoke on January 15, 1947, a beloved daughter of the late Frank and Anna M. (Babyak) Gusky. She was raised in Holyoke and graduated from the Holyoke High School Class of 1965. She attended the Western Mass Hospital School for Nursing in Westfield where she was certified as a Licensed Practical Nurse. She furthered her education at Holyoke Community College and received an Associate’s Degree in Nursing and later received her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from Our Lady of the Elms College in Chicopee. She was employed for most of her career at the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke and retired as a Nursing Supervisor in 2003. She was a fun-loving person who always enjoyed spoiling her many “nieces and nephews” and her godchildren, playing games and treating them to special restaurants, concerts and outings. She was an excellent cook and also loved to bake. She enjoyed to travel and visited many places including Disney World, Europe, her beloved Ireland and the Caribbean. She was a communicant of Our Lady of the Cross Church in Holyoke. She leaves her loving brother, John M. Gusky of Sierra Vista, AZ; her many dear cousins; and many cherished “nieces”, “nephews”, “grandnieces”, “grandnephews” and godchildren. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Graveside Service on Wednesday, August 2, 2017 at 1:30 p.m. at Saint Jerome Cemetery, 1666 Northampton Street, Holyoke, MA 01040. There are no visiting hours at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. For those who prefer, her family requests that memorial donations be made in her memory to the Trustees Fund at the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke, 110 Cherry Street, Holyoke, MA 01040. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
