Ann Burkott

Ann Perzanowski Burkott, 98, formerly of Westfield, MA, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 2, 2011 at Ashlan Village-Lyman. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, and friend to all she met. Born July 6, 1912, in Westfield, MA, she was the daughter of the late Wladyslaw "Walter" and Aniela Mieczkowski Perzanowski and wife of the late Peter Paul Burkott, Sr. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by a son, Donald William Burkott; three brothers, Joseph Perzanoski, Edward Perzanowski, and Wesley Perzanowski; and two sisters, Frances Mary Perzanowski Schott, and Eugenia Perzanowski Knapik. Survivors include her daughter, Nancy Jean Burkott Becker and husband S. Lee Becker of Spartanburg; a son, Peter Paul Burkott, Jr. and wife Diana Audrey Blandford of Hendersonville, NC; five grandchildren, Diana Lynn Sherbert Hardin and husband Allen of Blacksburg, SC, Steven Glenn Sherbert and wife Crystal Dawn of Spartanburg, Major Michael Gregory Burkott and wife Collin Mae of Ramstein AFB-Germany, Douglas Edward Burkott and wife Jaime Nichole of Overland Park, KA, Denis Paul Burkott of Rockford, IL; five great-grandchildren, Bradley James Smith and wife Lacey Cooksey of Blacksburg, SC, Justin Tyler Burkott and Thomas Peter Burkott of Ramstein AFB-Germany, Piper Nichole and Zoe Eliza Burkott of Overland Park, KA; and two great-great-grandchildren, Mason and Gavon Smith of Blacksburg, SC. A resident of Westfield, MA for 85 years, she moved to Spartanburg, SC in 1998 to live with her daughter. She was a teacher in Westfield, MA and taught in the WPA Pre-School Program, grades 1-5 and was assistant principal at Moseley School, a remedial reading teacher at Abner Gibbs School, Ashley St. School, Highland St. School, and Prospect Hill School. She also assisted in organizing the Sunday School Program at St. Joseph's National Catholic Church in Westfield, MA. She was a Sunday School teacher and superintendent of St. Joseph's National Catholic Church School of Christian Living. Ann graduated from Westfield High School and State College of Westfield with honors, she received a Masters in Education from State College, a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Educational Administration from the University of Massachusetts, with additional graduate work from the University of Connecticut, University of Rhode Island, Springfield College, and American International College in Massachusetts. Professional affiliations: National Education Association, Massachusetts Teachers Association, Westfield Teachers Association, Chi Chapter, Alpha Upsilon State Delta Kappa Gamma International and transfer of her membership to Alpha Mu Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Spartanburg, SC. Recently, she was honored with 50 years of membership in Delta Kappa Gamma. She co-authored, Programmed vs. Basal Readers in Remedial Reading for the Reading Teacher. She was also the editor-in-chief of the Golden Jubilee Book for St. Joseph's NC Church and had the distinct honor of appearing in the 1971 edition of "Community Leaders of America". She is a communicant of St. Joseph's National Catholic Church in Westfield and while living in Spartanburg, SC, attended St. James United Methodist Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in Westfield, MA. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at St. James United Methodist Church Wednesday, July 6, 2011. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: St. James United Methodist Church Prayer Garden Fund, 213 N Lanford Rd, Spartanburg, SC 20301; St. Joseph's NCC, 73 Main Street, Westfield, MA 01085; or Gentiva Hospice, 430 Roper Mountain Rd, Greenville, SC 29615. The family would like to give special recognition to all the caregivers at Ashlan Village and Gentiva Hospice for the loving care given. Floyd's North Church Street Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Ann P. Burkott please visit our Sympathy Store.