Mrs. Florence M. Gimlewicz

It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we say goodbye to the beautiful woman we knew as a kind and caring Mother, Florence M. Gimlewicz, 90, of Dalton, MA. She passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. Born in North Adams, MA on March 9, 1933, the daughter of the late George and Theresa Demarco Babeu, she graduated from the old Drury High School and later proudly earned a degree in Nursing from St Luke’s Hospital. Florence worked many years as a dedicated, compassionate nurse for Pittsfield General Hospital. It was while nursing that she met and fell in love with a handsome patient who drove a baby blue Chevrolet Convertible. She and Joseph J. Gimlewicz joined their hearts in marriage on October 3, 1959. Together they raised three sons. They shared 59 truly wonderful years together until his passing in 2018. Florence was a classic movie buff and enjoyed relaxing with an old Betty Davis movie and dinner simmering on the stove. Family was very important to her and her home was always open to them and her large, loved extended family, neighbors, and friends. Known for her Golumpki’s, Pork Roast and Chicken and Dumplings, she was a great cook and happiest with family and all her grandchildren crowded around the dining room table where love and laughter were always present. Florence treasured her Grandchildren and especially adored her role as the reigning best Grandma in the World. She was enormously proud of them and delighted in all their achievements and enjoyed teaching them basic life skills such as gardening, wrapping gifts and building tents. Her love was boundless and even declining health could not stop her supportive role or keep her from giving the best Grandma hugs! Other positions she held were as a Correctional Officer and Nurse at the Pittsfield House of Corrections where she offered compassionate care and always tried instilling heartfelt words of wisdom. She was also the friendly face of the neighborhood Avon Lady. She loved handing out free samples and often wore their signature Tangerine lipstick. She enjoyed playing the piano and singing and would encourage others to join in a rousing rendition of You Are My Sunshine! She was a communicant of both St Francis and later St Agnes Church. A woman of tremendous faith and devotion, she always put others before herself, easily forgave and made the Lord a priority in her life. She will be remembered for her deep and abiding faith, loving heart, warm smile, and great laugh. To know her was to love her. She was a truly remarkable Mother and Mother-in-law who will be dearly missed. She leaves her three sons Steven Gimlewicz and Karl Gimlewicz (Cherie) of Pittsfield, MA and Paul Gimlewicz (Britt) of Portland, Maine and her loving Grandchildren Peter, Sam, Isabel, Noah, Isaiah, Michael, and Matthew Gimlewicz and several dear nieces and nephews as well as her Granddog Otis. Florence was preceded in death by her sisters Regina and Connie and brothers Louis and Raymond. The family would like to thank Craneville Place of Dalton, MA for the kind and compassionate care our Mother received by the staff who thought of her as family. Also, we would like to thank the angels of Berkshire Medical for their genuine, heartfelt and amazing care. We especially extend our gratitude to Dr. Jason Touhey, Nurse Barb and Nurse Jason whose caring hearts are evident to all. Additionally, the gentle care and precious guidance that was given by all of the angels at HospiceCare in the Berkshires was sincerely appreciated and certainly did not go unnoticed! Funeral services for Mrs. Florence M. Gimlewicz will be Saturday, August 26, 2023, at 12 noon at the Dwyer Funeral Home, 776 North Street, Pittsfield, MA. Calling hours at the Funeral Home will be directly prior to the service, from 10 am to 12 noon.

Mrs. Florence M. Gimlewicz

March 9, 1933 - August 22, 2023