Mrs. Joan S. Anderson

Joan S. Anderson, 83, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving children on Saturday, March 11, following a short illness. Born in Waterbury, CT., on March 15, 1939, the daughter of Joseph T. and Anne McNamara Phelan, Joan was the youngest of seven children. Raised in Waterbury, she attended local schools and graduated from Waterbury Catholic High School. After graduating from Annhurst College in South Woodstock, CT., with a degree in English, she married Bruce M. Symanowicz in August 1961 and moved to Pittsfield. She later earned a master’s degree in elementary education from North Adams State College. After working for a short time as a substitute teacher, she quickly came to the realization that educating children might not be the best career choice and stayed home to raise her children. Joan was later employed by Berkshire Gas Company and was a proud member of the United Steelworkers Union, Local 12325, for 22 years, serving as the recording secretary for 11 years. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 155. She married her second husband, John Anderson Sr., on Aug. 31, 1996. He died Aug. 5, 1998. She retired soon after his death. Joan was a sports enthusiast and her knowledge of the rules and regulations was quite remarkable. This was never more evident when at her son’s football game she inquired as to why the gentlemen in the striped shirts kept on dropping their handkerchiefs. Joan was an avid skier and ice skater in her younger years. She enjoyed traveling and vacations abroad to Ireland, Italy and France. A social butterfly, she often took it upon herself to be the social director, frequently organizing and hosting social events, parties, dinners, luncheons, and vacations. She embraced the latest technology, including texting, which often required the perplexed recipient to call her for translation. She took up boating in her retirement and frequently captained cruises for her friends on the “Irish Mist,” her pontoon boat, on Onota Lake. She was an avid reader and enjoyed cryptograms and crossword puzzles, as well as assuming a supervisory role in many household projects. She took great joy in her flowers throughout the growing season. Joan looked forward to the annual Symanowicz Family Reunion every July in Aliquippa, PA., and frequently made excursions back to Connecticut to visit her friends from St. Margaret’s Elementary and Waterbury Catholic High School. She was an amazingly talented cook and enjoyed preparing incredible dining experiences for her family on Thursday evenings and holidays. With her passing, her children are now stuck with their spouses’ version of prepared cuisine. In addition to her love for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Joan loved and cherished her many friendships with an amazing group of devoted friends and neighbors. Joan is survived by a daughter, Jeanne Maschino of Pittsfield; four sons, Bruce Symanowicz and his wife Diana of Evansville, IN.; Christopher Symanowicz and his wife Lori of Hinsdale; David Symanowicz and his wife Tammy of Aliquippa, PA.; and Brian Symanowicz and his wife Stacey of Huntington, VT.; eight grandchildren, Sarah Bird and Trevor Maschino of Pittsfield; Carter and Spencer Symanowicz of Evansville, IN.; Katherine Symanowicz of Raleigh, N.C.; Bryce Symanowicz of Aliquippa, PA.; Elijah and Asher Symanowicz of Huntington, VT.; and three great-grandchildren, Landon and Olivia Maschino and Emmelyn Symanowicz. Joan is also survived by a sister, Jeanne Phelan of Waterbury, CT., and many nieces and nephews. Joan was predeceased by her former husband, Bruce M. Symanowicz, in 1990; three brothers, Joseph, William and John Phelan; and two sisters, Mary Louise Bergin and Anne Phelan. Joan’s family extends sincere thanks for the incredible outpouring of love and support from her many friends and neighbors. The family would also like to recognize the amazing nursing staff at Berkshire Medical Center’s Critical Care and Neuro Units and Hospice Care in the Berkshires, and offer our sincerest appreciation to Dr. Hafez Alsmann for the care, compassion and empathy provided throughout Joan’s illness. FUNERAL NOTICE: Funeral services for Joan S. Anderson will be private. At her request, there are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice Care in the Berkshires in care of Dwyer Funeral Home, 776 North St., Pittsfield, MA 01201.

Mrs. Joan S. Anderson

March 15, 1939 - March 11, 2023