JANICE E. DYMEK (BOURQUE)

     Janice E. (Bourque) Dymek, 62, of Holden, died peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, February 8, 2015 after an illness.

Janice graduated from Fitchburg High School in 1970 and Fitchburg State College in 1974 with a degree in elementary education. After graduating college, Janice taught in Australia for two years. Her career spanned over 20 years, of which most of her time was spent as a fifth grade teacher at Rice Elementary and Davis Hill Elementary Schools in Holden. She received two masters degrees from Lesley University in Cambridge in integrating the arts into the curriculum and computer technology. She retired in 2014.

It has been quoted that “It takes a big heart to help shape little minds.” Janice passionately gave of herself and enjoyed her role as a teacher and friend to her students. She has been recognized many times as “The Most Influential Teacher” by students being inducted into the National Honor Society. She actively volunteered her time in many school fundraisers. Jan was instrumental in organizing the week-long school programs to Nature’s Classroom, Sargent Center, and Ferry Beach, designed to enhance student educational experiences from another prospective.

She was a member of St. Mary’s Church in Jefferson and served as a Eucharistic Minister, and the Massachusetts Teacher’s Association. She loved the company of others and particularly enjoyed her Thursday morning social times with her fellow teachers at the Bagel Inn. Her other interests included reading, knitting, vacationing at York, Maine with her family, and attending Red Sox games home or away. Janice was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She will be remembered for her kind and giving spirit and willingness to help whenever needed.

Janice leaves her beloved husband of 34 years, James S. Dymek; her children, Beth E. Goldstein and her husband, Jeffrey of Forest Hills, New York; her son, Jeffrey J. Dymek and his wife, Christine of Paxton; her father and step-mother, Robert and Marie “Jackie” (Legere) Bourque of Gardner; a brother, Fr. Thomas Bourque of Herndon, Virginia; a sister, Marcia Sparks of Boynton Beach, Florida; three grandchildren, Lyla and Tess Goldstein and Sophia Dymek. She is predeceased by her mother, Jean (Graham) Bourque.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Kasturi, Dr. Bellin, and Tina at UMass Medical Center for their continued care and support.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Janice’s family from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 11, at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Thursday, February 12, at St. Mary’s Church, 114 Princeton St., Jefferson, followed by burial at Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Janice’s name for support of the children’s room at the Gale Free Library, by donating to Gale Free Library, Special Gift Fund, 23 Highland St., Holden, MA 01520.