Alice M. (Michaud) Akatyszewski, Terry, 90, a well-known, respected, and loved businesswoman, of Salem, MA, passed away peacefully with family by her side at Ashland Farm Assisted Living in North Andover on Sunday, April 23, 2023. She was the devoted wife of the late Zygmund (Ziggy) Akatyszewski, Edward Mizioch, and John Terry, all life-long residents of Salem.
Born November 8, in Salem, MA, she was the daughter of the late Alphonse and Marie Anna (Ross) Michaud. Following her graduation from St. James Parochial School at age 19, she immediately began working as a telephone operator for the New England Telephone Company for several years. In November 1964, Alice and her husband Ziggy became the founders, owners, and operators of Ziggy & Sons’ Donut Shop on 2 Essex Street in Salem, where Alice happily worked for 55 years until the pandemic in 2020. She was also the real estate owner and manager of 2 Essex Street for over 50 years until August 30, 2022, when the rental building was sold for her care. Many have said that Alice and Ziggy truly lived the “American Dream”! Shortly after celebrating 25 years of marriage with Ziggy, he passed away in 1983. Alice then remarried to Edward Mizioch who passed away suddenly after a medical complication in 1986.
Anyone who met Alice became a friend for life. Whether she was serving coffee and donuts to patrons or praying for them and their loved ones, she left her imprint on their heart. She had the biggest heart for sharing. She also volunteered as a Den Mother in Cub Scouting and sat on the Conservation Committee for the City of Salem. Alice enjoyed ballroom dancing where she met her late husband, John Terry, in 1990 with whom she spent 27 years, the last 14 of them married before he passed away in 2017. She always loved listening to music, especially by Engelbert Humperdinck.
Surviving her are six loving children, Robert (Laura) Akatyszewski of Hampton, CT, Richard (Shelly) Akatyszewski of Hollis, NH, Debra (Bruce) Nearing of North Reading, Patricia (Henry) Rutkowski and John (Pattie) Akatyszewski both of Salem, and Carol Ann (Scott) Julien of Peabody. She is also survived by thirteen grandchildren, Diana (Akatyszewski)Sanborn, James (Jocelyn) Akatyszewski, Kathryn Rutkowski, Jennifer (Rutkowski) and husband Scott Arcuri, Johanni (Manon) and husband Christian Monaco, Markus Akatyszewski, Katalina Manon, Caitlin Nearing, Emily Nearing, Ava Akatyszewski, Christopher Nearing, Jonathan Rutkowski, and Valerie Akatyszewski; five great-grandchildren Cassidy Akatyszewski, Anna Sanborn, Scarlett Arcuri, Logan Akatyszewski and Lucas Arcuri; and a great-great grandson, Adriel Akatyszewski.
In addition to her children and grandchildren, she is survived by her dear sister Lorraine (Michaud) Southam of Ormond Beach, FL, and a dear niece, raised as her sister, Joan (Michaud) Peters of Cranston, RI, as well as many nieces and nephews. Alice was also the beloved sister of eight brothers who predeceased her, Napoleon, John, Edward, Albert, Louis, Henry, Raymond, and Robert Michaud and a sister Marie (Michaud) Harrison, Demers.
She also left behind two stepdaughters, Deborah (Terry) Pierce of Carrabassett, ME and Susan (Mizioch) Stanley of Danvers; two stepsons, Mark Terry of Casco, ME and Brian Terry of Hampton,NH, as well as nine step-grandchildren, and sixteen step great-grandchildren.
Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the Levesque Funeral Home, 163 Lafayette St. (Route 114/1-A) in Salem, MA on May 1 at 10 AM to be followed by her Funeral Mass at 11 AM at St. James Church-Mary, Queen of the Apostles Parish, 156 Federal St., Salem, MA, followed by her burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem. Her visiting hours will be on Sunday, April 30, 2023, from 3:00 to 7:00 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Kidney Fund, 11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852 or online to the kidneyfund.org. To send a message and condolence to her family, please visit www.LevesqueFunerals.com.