Bette Ann S. (Swotchak) Ptaszek

 Bette A. Ptaszek, daughter of the late Stephen L. Swotchak and Jennie Sykulski Swotchak passed away on November 24, 2022. Born in Westfield on September 16, 1943, Bette graduated from Westfield High School in 1961 and Westfield State College. She received her Master’s degree in early childhood education and did advanced certificate education studies at Westfield State College. Bette taught in Enfield, Connecticut for ten years and then Juniper Park School in Westfield for twenty six years. She retired in 2001. She loved working with children from kindergarten to fourth grade. Bette never forgot any of her students and even remembered their names twenty years later. The children fondly called her Mrs. P. She spent her retirement days shopping, reading and doing crossword puzzles. Bette was the widow of Stephen R. Ptaszek, who died in 2004. She was an active member of St. Peter & St. Casimir’s Parish. She volunteered her time in many church roles: teaching CCD, being the sick coordinator, a Eucharistic minister and vice president of the rosary society. Bette never forgot her friends through the years. She was fondly known as the “card lady” since she always sent her friends cards on every occasion. Bette loved spending her time in Cape Cod and Ogunquit, Maine. Bette leaves behind her favorite cousin, Walter Sykulski, her nephew Richard Bombry (Stacey) from Arizona, her niece Alison Reginald (Todd) and great nephew Tristan Reginald from Sausalito, California. Her two goddaughter’s Elizabeth Pauhlos and Lisa Duffy. She also leaves behind several cousins and close friends: Patricia DiBattista and her family, Sheila Zagula, Sharon Wielgus and Mary Ann Curylo. She also leaves behind her beloved “adopted” daughter Anne Crouss and her family. Bette was a lover of dogs and cats especially Blossom her dog and her cat Andi. She was a very charitable person, donating to many causes especially the Guiding Eyes for the Blind. A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at 11AM in St. Peter’s/ St. Casmir’s Parish, State St. Westfield, with burial to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Southampton Rd. Westfield. Visiting hours will precede the Mass from 9-10:30 AM in the Firtion Adams Funeral Service, 76 Broad St. Westfield. www.firtionadams.com Donations may be sent to Cat Connections, 40 Stevens Mill Rd. Windsor, Connecticut 06095 or a charity of your choice.

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