Mary Havreluk
READSBORO- Longtime educator Mary Havreluk, 95, died Tuesday June 3, at her family's lifelong homestead. She was born in Readsboro on October 17, 1929, a daughter of Moisey and Anna (Januska) Havreluk.
Mary attended school in Readsboro and graduated from St. Joseph's High School in North Adams, MA. Mary continued her education and graduated from North Adams Teachers College in 1951 with a bachelor of arts in education where she also obtained her master's degree in education. In addition, she completed all the course work toward her doctorate except for writing her thesis. At that time, it was a requirement to live on campus while writing your thesis but Mary was needed at home to work in her father's store (Moses) and to help with her sister Peggy, to whom Mary devoted her life caring for. She also cared for her mother, Anna (until her death in 1994), after her father and younger sister Catherine were killed in a tragic car accident in 1967.
Mary taught for many years at the Monroe Bridge School, Monroe Bridge, MA. She was featured in the Boston Globe for teaching all levels at the one-room schoolhouse. She also worked for the North Adams school system and tutored adults in English as a second language. She was a longtime communicant of St. Joachim's Church in Readsboro.
Mary also had a love for gardening, especially flowers, which her sister Peggy was able to enjoy from her bedroom window.
Survivors include her sister Eugena "Jeanne" Bourdon (William) of Lee, MA; sister-in-law Reita Havreluk, of Wilmington; nine nieces and four nephews; numerous godchildren; and numerous lifelong friends, including many who were former students. She was preceded in death by brothers Edmund Havreluk, Anthony Havreluk, Carrol Havreluk Sr.; sisters Catherine Havreluk, Melvina Havreluk, and Margaret "Peggy" Havreluk; and nieces Abigail and Patrice Havreluk.
A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, June 10, at 11:30 am at St. Joachim Church in Readsboro. A time to visit at the church will be from 10:30 to 11:30 am. Burial will follow in the family plot in Village Cemetery in Readsboro. Memorial donations are suggested for the St. Joachim Church or the Readsboro Baptist Church through the Flynn & Dagnoli Funeral Home, North Adams, MA.
To add to the Book of Memories, please visit flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com.
