Jennie M. Aitken

Jennie M. Aitken, 87, a longtime resident of Linn St. in Pittsfield, died on Friday, April 15, 2016, surrounded by her loving family, at Mt. Greylock Extended Care Facility, where she resided for the past two years. Born in Pittsfield, July 28, 1928, the daughter of Angelo and Rosario Purchella Rosati, she was educated in Pittsfield schools and was a 1946 graduate of Pittsfield High School. She married her husband, the late William L. Aitken on May 29, 1948 at Mount Carmel Church in Pittsfield, William died on August 18, 1997. Jennie was a homemaker most of her life and after her children had grown, she went to work in the Pittsfield Public Schools cafeterias, a job she enjoyed very much, making sure no student ever went hungry, In addition to spending time with her family, Jennie loved to cook and bake for her large family, especially the holidays. She never forgot anyone’s birthday and always baked a special cake for the birthday honoree. Jennie’s hobbies were knitting and sewing and she loved giving handmade gifts to family and friends. Jennie and her late husband Bill enjoyed taking long drives on the weekends, taking in all the beauty that the Berkshires have to offer. Jennie was a faithful catholic and longtime communicant of St. Charles Parish and always looked forward to attending weekly mass. Jennie was truly a beautiful wife, mother, and friend, providing love, understanding, advice, and help to everyone around her. She always put the needs and concerns of others in front of her own and wanted nothing in return but love. She was a beautiful person in every sense of the word. Jennie leaves her four sons, Michael and his wife Rosemary of Pittsfield, Robert and his wife Sheila of Cheshire, Christopher and his wife Ada of Charleston, South Carolina, and Daniel and his wife Tammy of Pittsfield, and her daughter, Rosemary and her husband Jeffrey Pembroke of East Greenwich, Rhode Island. She also leaves her grandchildren, Shaun and Darin (Michael), Marley and Nicholas (Robert), Teagan and Hannah (Christopher), Shane, Sarah, Sadie, and Seth (Daniel), and Alex and Anna (Rosemary) and four great grandchildren, Lauren and Isabella (Shaun), and Logan and Kendall (Darin). She leaves her brothers in law, Paul Aitken of Adams, and William Christie of Troy, NY as well as several nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, Jennie was also predeceased by five brothers, Ralph Casella, Patrick Casella, Anthony Casella, Joseph Casella, and Roger Rosati, and her two sisters, Mary Rosati and Viola Christie. Jennie’s family would like to thank the dedicated staff at Mt. Greylock Extended Care Facility for the compassionate and loving care they provided her for the past two years. The family would also like to thank HospiceCare in The Berkshires for their support and kindness during Jennie’s final days. FUNERAL NOTICE The funeral will be on Monday, April 18, 2016 at 8:30AM from the Dwyer Funeral Home, 776 North St., Pittsfield, MA 01201 with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 9:30 AM at St. Charles Church celebrated by Rev. A. Peter Gregory, pastor. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Calling hours will be on Sunday from 2:00 until 5:00 PM at the funeral home. Donations in her memory may be made to Mt. Greylock Resident Activity Fund in care of the funeral home.

Jennie M. Aitken

July 28, 1928 - April 15, 2016