Greenfield---Sophie (Olszewski) Kowalski, 93, of Elm Terrace died Sunday (4-16-17) at her home in the  presence of loving family members and in the loving thoughts of those who could not be with her.  She was born in Greenfield on May 20, 1923, the daughter of Joseph and Mary (Zagrubski) Olszewski. 

Sophie graduated from Greenfield High School in 1941 and worked at the former Millers Falls Tool Company.  She married John Kowalski on February 16, 1946 and continued working until she became a mother.  Once her children were all in school she started back to work as a Crossing Guard at the former Conway Street School in Greenfield.  She ended her working career as a bookkeeper at Mackin Fuel & Construction Company, where she had worked for many years.

She loved life and lived it to the fullest. She was a great cook and the taste and flavor of her Polish dishes; Lazy Pierogi, Golumpki, Pierogis and Potato Pancakes have yet to be duplicated.  Her tasty stuffing for the Thanksgiving Day turkey has never been matched and there were never any leftovers at her dinners.  There was always room at the dinner table for 1, 2 or 3 more or however many may have shown up at the door. She loved animals and had a dog and/or a cat in the house until they became a trip hazard later on in her life.  She loved the outdoors and could be found evenings enjoying the fresh air on the front porch at her Conway Street home where she entertained friends and neighbors. She enjoyed Polish Music and if you walked into her house on a Saturday morning the music would be blaring and she would grab you and dance a few steps of a Polka around the house.  Minor health issues and Dementia started when she turned 80 but she lived her life to the fullest despite them.  She was a Red Sox and Patriots fan and if she could not attend the Turkey Day Football Game between Greenfield/Turners, she had the radio on listening to it.             

Sophie leaves her daughters, Debra Gochinski and her husband Paul of Greenfield and Jane Smith and her husband Stephan of Turners Falls.  Her grandchildren, Shawn Whitney (Heather) of Truckee, CA, Christopher Whitney (Heather) of San Diego, CA, Melissa Whitney of Greenbelt, MD, Larry Gilmet, Jr. of Keene, NH, Jonathan Smith (Kathryn) of Rohnert Park, CA and Sara Smith of West Hartford, CT.  Her great grandsons, Sterling Hubbard and Zander Whitney and her great granddaughters, Kinsley Smith and Finley Smith.  Her great great granddaughter Autumn Hubbard and several nieces and nephew.

Sophie was predeceased by her husband John, her daughter Gloria Whitney and her sister Genevieve Rockwal.

Special thanks and appreciation to Denise Jacque-DeNofrio who cared for Sophie for ten plus years and who treated the Soph as if she were her own mother.  Sophie enjoyed good times and many laughs with Denise and her family and we are forever grateful to her for that.  Our sincere gratitude to all the other caregivers and to Sophie’s neighbors, Barbara and Mike for always being there when needed.  Without all their efforts, Sophie never would have been able to remain in her home, which is what she always wanted.      

A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held Friday 4-21, 2017 at 11 am at Our Lady of Peace Church in Turners Falls.   Burial will follow in Mater Dolorosa Cemetery in Greenfield. The family will greet friends from 10:30 am -11:00 am at the church.

Following the burial there will be a gathering at Thomas’ Memorial Golf and Country Club in Turners Falls.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may made to charity of the donor’s choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Kostanski Funeral Home.

Sympathy messages available at www.kostanskifuneralhome.com

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