Janice Marie (O’Neil) Richards, 85, of North Adams, died on Thursday, January 7, 2021 at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born in North Adams on February 16, 1935 a daughter of the late Bernard Francis and Dorothy Rose (Cheney) O’Neil. She attended local schools. She married her husband, Valmore Leon Richards on June 11, 1955. They were married 65years, six months and 27 days. She was first employed at Wall Streeter Shoe and then as a custodian at Williams College.
Mrs. Richards was a former communicant of St. Francis Church. She will be remembered as the ultimate caretaker with a heart of gold. She was the strong link in her family and beyond. She dearly loved her husband, daughter and lived for her granddaughters. She took pride in her home and her yard, always cleaning and tending to daily work, especially ironing and vacuuming. She loved her weekly trip to the hairdresser’s and when she finally sat down to relax, she loved to watch the Hallmark Channel and old movies.
Survivors include her husband, Valmore, her daughter, Rosemarie Dzierga and her husband Stephen of Adams, MA and two granddaughters, Jordanna Sorentino and her husband, Dr. Jesse Sorentino of New Haven, CT and Dr. Briell Dzierga of Charelston, SC. She also leaves two sisters, Patricia Tatro of North Adams and Debra Green of Clarksburg and three brothers; Clarence Degrenier of FL, Bernard O’Neil of FL and Donald O’Neil of North Adams and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by two brothers, Norman Degrenier and Robert O’Neil.
FUNERAL NOTICE: A Liturgy of Christian Burial for Janice Richards will be celebrated at 11a.m. on Wednesday, January 13 at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church in North Adams. Burial will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the AYJ Fund or PopCares in care of the FLYNN AND DAGOLI FUNERAL HOME, CENTRAL CHAPEL, 74 Marshall Street North Adams, MA 01247. To add to the Book of Memories, please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com.