Janice Helen Barako

Janice Helen (Pfeiffer) Barako passed away at home after a short illness on Sunday April 7, 2019. During her final weeks she was surrounded by loving family members and friends. Janice was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey to the late Francis and Helen Pfeiffer. She graduated from All Saints High School in Jersey City, New Jersey. Janice was married to Edward Barako in 1946 and had three children, Dr. Elaine Cuphone, Joseph Barako and Lynn Barszcz. Janice moved with her family to Massachusetts in 1967 and has resided in Feeding Hills since 1973. Janice worked many years in the banking and finance fields. After retirement, she became active in the Polish American Club in Agawam, serving for many years as the chairperson of the Ladies Auxiliary and the coordinator of all events at the club.

Janice was an accomplished seamstress and, for many years, altered wedding gowns. Her talents could be seen through the many quilts that she made and shared with others. An avid game player, she loved playing scrabble and Maghong at the Agawam Senior Center and with her close friends. Janice, for many years, researched the family ancestry with Debbie Minifie, the wife of her close cousin, Paul. Survived by her loving husband Edward of 73 years, Janice and Ed were always proud of the many years that they shared together. She is survived by her son, Joseph and his wife Janet, and by Janice’s daughter, Lynn Barszcz. She is also survived by her five grandchildren and her great-grandchildren. The family would like to thank the neighbors, Robert and Cis Nowacki and Carol Marcoux, for all their wonderful assistance in her final days. A gathering of family and friends will be held on Thursday, April 11, 2019 from 10AM-12PM at Colonial Forastiere Funeral Home, 985 Main St., Agawam with a celebration of life ceremony beginning at 12PM. A private burial will be held at the convenience of her family.

Jay and Kyle Scherpa, two of her great-grandchildren, always amazed her with their musical talents. She looked forward to attending their many concerts and always stated that she would prefer when she died to have a gift in her memory given to promote music for children. In keeping with her wishes, in lieu of flowers, Janice would prefer to have others donate in her memory to The Band Program at the Roberta Doering School, 68 Main Street, Agawam MA 01001, to the attention of her grandson, Mr. Zachary Scherpa.