Bagdis, Janet S. , 85, of Coolridge Avenue, Greenville RI passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 17, 2010 at her daughter Lynne’s home in Boston MA after a three year battle with pancreatic cancer.
She was born in Worcester, MA, daughter of the late Ludwik A. and Sophie J. (Lemanski) Gutkowski. She had been a resident of Greenville since 1978 and had previously lived in Holden, MA.
She was a devoted grandmother who attended hundreds of soccer, hockey, lacrosse, football and basketball games. An avid Boston sports fan, she also enjoyed mystery novels and gardening. She was active with Slack's Reservoir Association in Greenville RI and enjoyed playing bridge at the Smithfield Senior Center.
She retired in 1993 after 9 years of service with (Foster Parents) Plan International, a community development organization which helps children in the world’s poorest countries. She had previously worked as Sales Administration Manager at Siebe North / Norton Company Safety Products from 1971 – 1983.
She was a 1941 graduate of Worcester Commerce High School, working as Assistant to the President at St. Pierre Chain Company in Worcester, MA during the 1940s. She raised her family in the Brentwood area of Holden, MA. She survived the “Tornado of June 1953,” an F5 level storm that devastated the Brentwood area and took the lives and homes of her neighbors. She spent many years as an active volunteer in the Worcester area. She was a founding member of St. George's Catholic Church in Worcester and a member of the St. George's Women's Club. She held leadership positions in numerous Worcester charitable organizations. She served as Chairman of the United Way, Women's Division, Vice President of the Director's Council of the Worcester Natural History Society, an Assumption College Volunteer (Dollars for Scholar's Ball), and managed campaigns for Worcester Memorial Hospital and the Golden Rule Fund. She was a member of the Business & Professional Women's Association.
She was the loving mother of Lynne B. Wilson and her husband, Ira of Boston, MA, Neil A. Bagdis and his wife Jody, of Paxton, MA, Jay Bagdis and his wife, Pam of Norristown, PA. She was the devoted grandmother of eight: Bennett Wilson (20) and Tyler Wilson (19) of Boston, Chris Bagdis (29) of Wetherfield CT, Kate Bagdis (27) of Cambridge MA, Brad Bagdis (24) of Hoboken NJ, Greg Bagdis (22) of Paxton MA, Jeffrey Bagdis (24) of Princeton NJ and Kimberly Bagdis (20) of Norristown PA. She was the sister of Matthew L. Gutkowski of Worcester MA, Helena T. Powell of Natick MA, and the late Irene C. Kapatoes.
Her funeral will be held Thursday at 10 am from the Anderson-Winfield Funeral Home, Rt 44 at Greenville Common, Greenville RI. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Philip Church, 622 Putnam Pike, Greenville will take place at 11 am. Visitation Wednesday 4 - 6 pm. In lieu of flowers donations in her memory may be made to Catholic Relief Services, 228 W. Lexington, Street, Baltimore, MD 21201 to support Haitian Earthquake Relief Efforts. (www.crs.org)