Arlene (Zatyrka) Baronas

Arlene Zatyrka Baronas, 93, died peacefully in the presence of family on Thursday, November 3, 2022, at her home at Stonebrook Village in Windsor Locks, CT.  She was born in Greenfield, MA, on July 14, 1929, the daughter of Simon “Sam” Zatyrka and Anna (Bishko) Zatyrka; as a young adult and after her mother’s early death, she became the step-daughter of Nellie (Zilka) Zatyrka.  She graduated from Greenfield High School (1947) as salutatorian and from the University of Massachusetts (1951) as a member of the Chi Omega sorority and with a BA in English.  She married William “Duke” Baronas in November 1952.

Arlene worked as a teacher at the Greenfield public schools, at St. Bernard’s in Enfield, CT, and as a bookkeeper for her husband’s businesses.  She served as president of the PTA in Greenfield, and was an honorary member of the DAR.  She and her husband left Greenfield for Enfield with their three sons in 1966, where they became enthusiastic members of the community.  After 25 years, they moved to Eastham on Cape Cod, and were able to enjoy their new home with family and friends (new and old) by the seashore.  Following her beloved husband’s death in 1997, Arlene continued to live in Eastham for many more years until she returned to the Connecticut River Valley to spend her final year in Windsor Locks, CT, close to family and her new great-grandchildren.

She enjoyed meeting people and made friends easily.  Other favorites were a good Ukrainian meal, her daily Sudoku, and New England’s beautiful seasonal changes (especially the fall).  She was an avid reader, and particularly enjoyed classic American literature.  Arlene was always interested in her visitors’ lives, and was able to lift the spirits of those around her with her optimism and warmth.

Her family and friends meant the world to her.  Survivors include her sons, Mark Baronas and wife Lynn (Glover) of Glastonbury, CT, Matthew Baronas and wife Jane (Goguen) of Boston, MA, and William Baronas of Greenfield; grandchildren William (and wife Julie), Katie (and husband Jonathan), Anna, Mary, and John; great-grandchildren Luca, Stella, and Penny.  She also leaves behind nieces, nephews, and dear friends from Greenfield, Enfield, and Eastham.  She was pre-deceased by her husband, Bill “Duke” in 1997, and her brother, Simon, in 2008. 

The family wishes to express appreciation to Arlene’s kind and exceptional caregivers, both in Windsor Locks and in Eastham, with special thanks to Tivet (“TT”), Ewuraesi (“Raesi”), and Jenn.

A wake will be held at the McCarthy Funeral Home, 36 Bank Row, Greenfield, MA, from 2-4PM on Wednesday, November 9, 2022.  A Funeral Mass will be observed at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 133 Main Street, Greenfield, MA at 11:00AM on Thursday, November 10, 2022.  The family requests that you kindly wear a mask if you are able.  Rites of committal and interment will follow at Holy Ghost Cemetery, Whately, MA, where Arlene will be laid to rest with her beloved husband Duke.

**In lieu of flowers, donations made in Arlene's honor may be sent to https://ukrarcheparchy.us/ (Humanitarian Aid Fund for Ukraine) or another cause supporting the people of Ukraine.

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