Mrs. Carmella Duda

Carmella (Connie, Camellia, Camilla, Kamcia, Constance) Theresa Mary Ann Biedrzycki Duda died unexpectedly on January 24, 2016 at Berkshire Medical Center. Born in the family home on Seymore Street in Pittsfield, Massachusetts on December 11, 1927, she was the daughter of Frank (Franciszek) Biedrzycki and Wladyslawa Ostaszewski Biedrzycki. She graduated from Pittsfield High School, Class of 1945, and took courses at Berkshire Community College. She remained active in all the class reunions up to this year. She started her business career in high school working for Rogers Jewelry Store and Besse Clarkes moving to Prudential Insurance Company in 1947 and later to the Talbot Insurance Agency of Berkshire Life Insurance Company. On May 30, 1949 she married Walter Duda at the former Holy Family Church where she was a lifetime member serving in many capacities ---as lector, council member, finance committee member, 1st and 25th president of the Mothers’ Guild and member of the Rosary Sodality. She chaired many events from card parties to Christmas parties to graduation banquets. She and her husband were also the first presidents of the Couples Club. Mrs. Duda is survived by four loving children her son Andrew of Maui, Hawaii; her daughter Mary Lee Ryba of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; her daughter Jennifer and husband Shinichi Imamura of Plymouth, Michigan; and her son Jonathan and her devoted and caring daughter-in-law Lisa (Petell) of Lanesborough. She was the Babcia of six granddaughters Danielle (Ryba) and her husband David Beaudine of Spokane; Dominique (Ryba) and her husband Jeff Oboyski of Sacramento; Tatiana Imamura and her husband Bryan Hogan of New York City and Sabrina Imamura of New York City; Heather and Makayla Duda and one grandson Nicholas Duda of Lanesborough. She also is survived by three great grandchildren Brian and Dylan Beaudine and Makena Oboyski. A baby boy died at birth in September of 1964. She is predeceased by Walter, her husband, her parents and her only sibling, Zenobia (Zee) Kuzara and a son-in-law Brian T. Ryba. While her children were attending school, Mrs. Duda and her husband were presidents of the very active Allendale PTA and Mrs. Duda followed by becoming president of the Pittsfield PTA Council which reached an enrollment of nearly 500 members. While her children studied music in various venues, she also became president of the Friends of the Pittsfield Community School. While there she co-chaired with Bob Boland the last Pop Concert on the lawn. Her interest in community began when she competed for Winter Carnival Queen in the 1948-49 Carnival and broke records for button sales. She was crowned lady-in-waiting and represented the committees at all the Carnival activities that year. In April of 1976, her dreams came true when she opened her dress shop, Camellia’s Fashions and Gifts, at 525 South Main Street in Lanesborough, MA. For approximately 25 years she dressed women, young and old, and became a reliable fashion consultant often stating that she had only the nicest customers, many who became lifetime friends. She loved her staff and always referred to them as “Camellias’ Girls.” During this business career, she was known for the beautiful fashion show--- approximately 100 shows --- all done for local charities using local models. For about a year and a half during her Camellia’s years, she ran a radio show on WBRK called Conversations with Connie. She talked about local fashionistas, weddings and activities as well as the newest fashions. She and her husband loved dancing of all kinds including participating in the Polish Falcon Dancers, the inaugural couples troupe at Pittsfield’s Ethnic Fair, to square dancing with local clubs, to ballroom dancing with the So-Ed Dance Club, Votré Soiree Dance Club and Ballroom Dancers for over thirty years. She was the Queen Mother of the Camellias of Berkshire County Chapter of the Red Hat Society. Walter and Connie celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary on May 30, 2009 in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho attending the wedding of their granddaughter Danielle Ryba to David Beaudine who changed their date to honor Danielle’s Babcia and Jajia’ s anniversary. She loved entertaining including parties, large and small, going to lunch, traveling and casinos. She loved people and searched for something wonderful in everyone she met. She will be missed by all who knew her. Funeral Notice: Funeral services for Carmella Duda will be Saturday, January 30, 2016 at 8:30 a.m. from the Dwyer Funeral Home, 776 North St., Pittsfield MA with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Church celebrated by Msgr. Michael Shershanovich, Pastor. Entombment will follow at St. Michael the Archangel Mausoleum in St. Joseph Cemetery. Calling hours at the funeral home will be Friday, January 29, 2016 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Joseph Catholic Church Food Pantry, care of the Dwyer Funeral Home, in her memory. DONATIONS CANNOT BE MADE ONLINE, but may be made through the Dwyer Funeral Home.

Mrs. Carmella Duda

December 11, 1927 - January 24, 2016