Published in the November 30, 2015 edition.
WAKEFIELD — Anne E. (Boncek) Roberts, known as “Babchi Anne,” died on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2015 in Wakefield.
Anne was born April 24, 1916 in Greenfield, the daughter of John Boncek and Bolestava Murzn Boncek (Polish immigrants), settling in Greenfield. John was one of the co-founders and builder of the early Sacred Heart Parish.
Anne’s early years growing up were spent in Meriden and New Haven, Conn. She married Ralph L. Roberts Jr. of Bowling Green, Fla. in 1940. Ralph was a World War II Marine and then a farmer and rancher.
Anne is survived by her son, Ralph L. Roberts III, Ph.D, and his wife Debra of Cincinnati, Ohio (Ralph served in the 82nd Airborne Division), and her daughter, Patricia A. McDonough and her husband Michael of Wakefield; her brothers, Edward Boncek (served with distinction in WWII) from East Charleston, Vt.; Randy Boncek and wife Lee from East Haven, Conn.
Anne is also survived by her three grandchildren: Michael Kirk Roberts of New York, Tania Marie Roberts of Austin, Texas, and Mark J. McDonough of Rocky Hill, Conn., as well as by seven great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
Anne also leaves a niece, Debbie Smith Roy from Ashburnham; nieces Pamela Boncek Martorelli from East Haven, Conn. and Andrea Boncek from Branford, Conn., and a nephew Randy Boncek from Hamden, Conn. Anne leaves many great-nieces and great-nephews and great cousins.
Anne’s pre-deceased siblings include her sisters, Sophie J. Boncek Struzinski of Guilford, Conn. (Sophie served in the Navy WAVES in World War II) and Gladys Boncek Fitzgerald of West Haven, Conn.; brothers Chester V. Boncek of West Haven, Conn. (Chester served in the Army during World War II), Richard Boncek of Killingworth, Conn. (he served in National Guard); and Steven Boncek of Bridgeport, Conn.
Special friendships included Edgar and Tina Graveline of Newport, Vt. and the Chouinard family, also from Newport, from the late 1950s to late 1960s. Anne and her children were active members of St. Mary, Star of the Sea Parish and the Sacred Heart School.
Anne’s early married years were spent in Connecticut, Florida, Pennsylvania and Maryland. And after living in Newport, Vt., she later resided with her daughter and son-in-law in Wakefield.
Anne loved cooking and especially baking her famous Babka bread for Easter time. She was also a blue ribbon recipient for Best Apple Pie at the Wakefield 2001 Crafts Fair.
Anne participated in the Civil Defense program in Maryland in the 1950s and worked with the Bush (41) campaign for President in Houston in the early ‘80s.
Anne attended Harvard University Extension School for one year to study the Polish language.
Her other hobbies included hiking, ice fishing and golf and she loved all outdoor activities. She was an avid animal lover.
Anne’s greatest joy was being surrounded by her loving family.
Her family offers a special thank you to Marie Pharel, who has been Anne’s loving caregiver for the past two years.
A Liturgy of Christian Burial was held Monday, Nov. 30, at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Peace Church, 90 Seventh St., Turners Falls, MA with the Rev. Stanley Aksamit officiating. Burial will follow at Mater Dolorosa Cemetery in Greenfield.
A calling hour was held Monday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Kostanski Funeral Home, 220 Federal St., Greenfield.
Sympathy message available at www.kostanskifuneralhome.com.
