Josephine Michalek, 89, of Lenox died peacefully Saturday morning at home with her family by her side.
Born and raised in Stalowa Wola, Poland, on April 6, 1933, the daughter of Walenty and Katarzyna Laba, Josephine and her family of farmers survived World War II. She remained in Poland to maintain the family farm and care for her mother until her passing. In 1966, Josephine embarked on the great adventure to immigrate to the U.S. to join two of her brothers in Worcester, Mass.
Josephine’s strong work ethic served her well in a career as a pieceworker at Stanley Tools in Worcester. She bought and personally renovated a classic Worcester triple-decker home. She was known in her Vernon Hill neighborhood for her prolific gardens, bringing her love of farming to her new urban environment.
After the birth of her grandchildren, Hunter and Spencer Lanning, and her retirement to the Berkshires, Josephine was affectionately known by her friends as “Babci,” a variation of the Polish name for Grandmother. Her cooking skills were legendary, and the family gardens expanded in Lenox to include the best fed chickens in town. She was a generous soul and loved sharing her cooking, baking, and garden harvests with friends and family. Up through her last year of life, Babci could be seen working in the gardens year-round with her walker and regaling guests with her famous pierogis and great humor.
She is survived by her daughter, Sandra Lanning; her son-in-law, Vincent; and their two sons, Hunter and Spencer. Josephine was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Mitchell; and all nine of her siblings: identical twin Genowefa, Helen, Mildred, Agnes, Walter, Adam, Joseph, Thadeus, and Richard. She will be missed on both sides of the Atlantic as Josephine kept the bridge home to Poland alive with trips home to see her family and return visits from her siblings and their children.
Calling hours at the Roche Funeral Home will be Thursday, March 23 from 4 to 6 p.m. A Liturgy of Christian Burial for Mrs. Josephine Michalek will be Friday March 24, 2023 at 11 a.m. at St. Ann’s Church in Lenox, celebrated by the Rev. Monsignor John J. Bonzagni, Pastor. Burial will follow at St. Ann’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to either Elder Services of Berkshire County or Hospice Care of the Berkshires, both in care of the funeral home, 120 Main Street, Lenox, MA 01240.
To share memories and stories, please visit the funeral home’s website.
