Genevieve (Ponichtera) Tracz, 91, of Dartmouth passed away peacefully on Wednesday January 14, 2015 surrounded by her daughters at St. Luke's Hospital. She was the wife of the late Edward Tracz.
Born in West Wareham, the daughter of the late Wladyslaw and Aniela (Kuroski) Ponichtera, she lived in New Bedford for most of her life before moving to Dartmouth 21 years ago.
She was a communicant of St. Mary's Church, South Dartmouth, and a former communicant of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in New Bedford.
Mrs. Tracz was formerly employed as a cafeteria cook at Carney Academy. She had also been a housekeeper at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Rectory for many years and a volunteer at St. Luke's Hospital Surgicenter.
Mrs. Tracz was a member of the Holy Rosary Society and the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Senior Citizens, and was Past President of the Ladies Society at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. She was the recipient of the Marian Medal from the Diocese of Fall River for her dedicated service to her parish. She had also been an active participant in the many Polish food sales at her parish.
A heartfelt thank you to the first floor nursing staff at Our Lady's Haven, and to Dr. Pokhrel and the nursing staff on Crapo Unit and the emergency room staff at St Luke's Hospital. Their compassion towards Genevieve and her family will always be remembered.
She is survived by two daughters, Virginia A. Ruckel and her husband Joseph Snee of Seekonk, and Barbara G. Connulty and her husband Stephen of Dartmouth; four grandchildren, Curtis and Alexander Ruckel and Colleen and Kristen Connulty; and several nieces and nephews.
She was the sister of the late Chester, Edward, and Henry Ponichtera.
Her Funeral will be held on Monday at 9 AM from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, followed by her Funeral Mass at St. Mary's Church, South Dartmouth at 10 AM. A private family burial service will be held at Sacred Heart Cemetery. Visiting hours Sunday from 3-7 PM. Remembrances may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 480 Pleasant St., Watertown, MA 02472. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.