DUDLEY - Sylvia T. (Stawasz) Rock, 75, of 12 Sawmill Road, passed away Saturday, October 3, at St. Camillus Health Center, Whitinsville after a long and courageously fought battle with breast cancer.
She leaves her husband of 52 years, Robert L. Rock of Dudley; a daughter, Jane E. MacDonnell, wife of Julian E. MacDonnell, Jr.and the two greatest joys of her life, her grandchildren, Katherine E. “Katie” MacDonnell and Julian E. “Ian” MacDonnell, III both of Uxbridge; nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her only sister, Dolores T. Avery, wife of the late William Avery of Dudley. Toward the end of her courageous battle, her grandchildren were the inspiration that gave her the courage to carry on with her fight each and every day. The journey was well worth the struggle to her as long as she had her Katie and her Ian by her side
She was born in Webster, a daughter of Roman E. and Helen A. (Kretowicz) Stawasz and was a lifelong resident of Dudley. She graduated from Bartlett High School in 1952.
Mrs. Rock was a homemaker, devoted to her family. Her hobbies were her grandchildren, whom she cherished, collecting nick knacks and her plants.
She was a member of Saint Andrew Bobola Church and its Holy Rosary Sodality. The family would like to extend their sincerest heartfelt thanks to the staff at St. Camillus Health Center and Evercare Hospice, especially all the extraordinary individuals in the Farrell Haven Wing.
The funeral will be held Tuesday, October 6, from the Sitkowski & Malboeuf Funeral Home, 340 School St., Webster, with a Mass at 10:30 AM in St. Andrew Bobola Church, 54 West Main Street. Burial will be in St. Joseph Garden of Peace, Webster. Calling hours will be from 9:00 to 10:00 AM Tuesday, October 6, in the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to either, St. Camillus Health Center, 447 Hill Street, Whitinsville, MA or to St. Andrew Bobola Church, 54 West Main St., PO Box 98, Dudley, MA 01571-0098.