Elizabeth Maciulewicz, affectionately known as Betty or Liz, died peacefully on June 19th, 2020 at the Somerset Ridge Nursing Home. Born on April 12, 1923 to Albin and Agnes Gancarz of Fall River, MA. Elizabeth was one of six children and is survived by her youngest brother, Lawrence Gancarz of Missouri City, Texas. Her sisters, Celia, Louise, Stephanie, and brother, Eugene, have all passed through the years.
Elizabeth attended B.M.C.Durfee High School where she played percussion in the B.M.C. Durfee Orchestra. Following her graduation in 1941, Elizabeth proudly enlisted in the U.S Coast Guard and served as a west coast radio operator during WWII, where she met and married her husband, Walter Maciulewicz. Returning to Fall River after the war, they settled into their new Westport home on Brian Street to raise their three children, Alan, Richard and Joyce.
Elizabeth worked as a sewing machine operator in the local Fall River mills, then became the secretary for the Westport Board of Health for 18 years until retiring in 1988. After her retirement, Elizabeth moved to Greenwood Terrace on State Road in Westport, then at age 91, moved to the Somerset Ridge Nursing Home.
Elizabeth loved dancing the jitterbug, growing beautiful colorful flowers throughout her home and property, teaching her granddaughter, Lauren, to make traditional Polish food, playing with and caring for her many cats, spending hours at the Westport beaches, attending Bible study with her son, Richard, sharing laughter and stories of days gone by with her many friends, and going for daily walks right up until the day she passed.
Elizabeth was best known for her kindness, beautiful smile, quick wit and gratitude. To know her was to love her.
Elizabeth is survived by her brother, children, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and many close friends.
Elizabeth loved living at Somerset Ridge and her family would like to send a heartfelt thank you to their nurses, CNAs, social workers, administrators and to the entire Hospice Care Team for their unwavering love and attention to her physical and emotional health.
Thank you, Mom, for being our mother. Time to go to see your family in heaven. Say ‘Hi’ to Dziadziu…See you on the other side. Go in peace. You are loved.
Arrangements are private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Compassionate Care Hospice, an Amedisys Foundation, 3854 American Way, Baton Rouge, LA 70816.