DUDLEY – Benita A. “Bunny” (Androlewicz) Conrad died Friday, August 16th. Bunny passed away on her 86th birthday after being stricken ill.
She leaves her devoted husband of 59 years, Dr. James L. “Jim” Conrad, Jr.; two sons, Dr. Michael J. Conrad, Sr. and his wife Virginia K. Conrad of Lumberton, NJ, and Jeffrey L. Conrad and his wife Maryann Conrad of Worcester; and five beloved grandchildren, Michael J. Conrad, Jr. of Manhattan, Sarah E. Rodriguez and her husband Ronald Rodriguez of Warrenton, VA, Courtney N. Carr and her husband Michael Carr of Holden, Caroline K. Conrad of Manhattan, and Kimberly C. Conrad of Worcester; a brother, Deacon Joseph Anders and his wife Kathleen of Lancaster, PA; a sister, Patricia McHale of Commack, NY; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother, Raymond Anders of Dudley.
She was born in Dudley, daughter of Stanley and Mary (Dziedzic) Androlewicz, and lived on Dudley Hill most of her life, moving to Worcester several years ago. She graduated from Bartlett High School in Webster, where she was President of the Student Council, attended Annhurst College in South Woodstock, CT and the Ward Business School in Worcester, and graduated from the Pan American Flight Service School in New York.
Upon her graduation from the PanAm Flight School, Bunny traveled the world as a stewardess for PanAm, and had fond memories of her trips to Africa, Europe and Asia and meeting and traveling with many of the famous dignitaries and celebrities of the day. Following her career as a stewardess, she became an administrator in accounting at Nichols College, and then an executive assistant to the president at Preferred Plastics in Putnam, CT. She subsequently held a similar position at Applied Fiber Optics in Southbridge, MA, before retiring in 1988.
Bunny was a member of Saint Anthony of Padua Church in Dudley. She was a lifelong member of the Nichols College Women’s Club, and in 1998 she received the Nichols College Honorary Alumnus Award. Bunny was an avid bowler, belonging to the “Strikers” team in Auburn, MA, and enjoyed knitting in her retirement years. Bunny’s love of flying, travel and adventure continued past her career as a stewardess, and was a lifelong passion. Above all, however, she treasured her grandchildren, each of whom she helped raise and care for, and each of whom will dearly miss their beloved “Nana.”
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Thursday, August 22nd, at Saint Anthony of Padua Church, 24 Dudley Hill Road, Dudley. Burial will be in Saint Anthony’s Cemetery, Webster. Donations in her name may be made to the Col. James L. Conrad Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Nichols College, 124 Center Road, Dudley, MA 01571. Arrangements are under the direction of Scanlon Funeral Service, 38 East Main St., Webster, MA.