Obituary for Barbara J. Vaitkunas (Lazutka)
Barbara J. (Lazutka) Vaitkunas, 89, of Auburn, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 9, 2023 at Saint Vincent Hospital, with her loving family by her side. Barbara was predeceased by her beloved husband of 63 years, Edmund J. Vaitkunas, in December of 2021.
She leaves her devoted children: Richard Vaitkunas and Jo-Ann Rogers, of Dudley, Trish Pratt and husband Tom, of Clermont, FL, Jack Vaitkunas and wife Pam, of Auburn, Caryn Warren and husband Dana, of Ocala, FL, and Lynn Ruderman and fiancé Scott St. Hilaire, of Worcester; twelve grandchildren: Andrew Vaitkunas, Peter Vaitkunas, Jennifer Joyce, Tom Pratt, Michael Vaitkunas, Dale Warren, Tyler Warren and wife Shauni, Joel Warren and wife Kristine, Amanda Martin and husband Steve, Allison Dones and husband Jonathan, Otto Ruderman, and Jeffrey Ruderman; nine great-grandchildren; as well as three nephews. Along with Edmund, Barbara was also predeceased by her sister, Dolores (Lazutka) Yuknis Adamenas, in 2013; and one nephew in 2016.
Barbara was born in Chicago, IL to the late Michael C. and Anna R. (Palulis) Lazutka, where she graduated from Nativity Blessed Virgin Mary School, St. Casimir Academy High School, and Ray-Vogue School of Design. She married her beloved Edmund in 1958 in Chicago, prior to their move to Massachusetts that year. They settled in Auburn in 1966.
Barbara worked at F. Schumaker & Company as a design consultant for several years before marriage, and retired from Consolidated Beverages in Auburn after 15 years of dedicated service.
She was a faithful member, for many years, of North American Martyrs Parish in Auburn, where she was also former President of the Woman’s Club. In her dedication to her faith and her home parish, Barbara enjoyed decorating the church during holiday seasons, year after year.
Above all, Barbara loved spending time with her family, and was always going above and beyond for others. She also loved caring for her home and yard, cooking Lithuanian food for her family, having coffee with her girlfriends at McDonald’s, and a glass of wine with her neighbor.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to North American Martyrs Church or to Kateri’s Kitchen, 8 Wyoma Drive, Auburn, MA 01501 (https://namartyrsauburn.org/donate-here).
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the Vaitkunas family from 4 – 7 PM on Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at the BRITTON-WALLACE FUNERAL HOME, 91 Central St., Auburn, MA. Her funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 AM on Thursday, February 16, 2023 at North American Martyrs Church, 8 Wyoma Drive, Auburn, with burial to follow at St. John’s Cemetery, 260 Cambridge Street, Worcester.
She leaves her devoted children: Richard Vaitkunas and Jo-Ann Rogers, of Dudley, Trish Pratt and husband Tom, of Clermont, FL, Jack Vaitkunas and wife Pam, of Auburn, Caryn Warren and husband Dana, of Ocala, FL, and Lynn Ruderman and fiancé Scott St. Hilaire, of Worcester; twelve grandchildren: Andrew Vaitkunas, Peter Vaitkunas, Jennifer Joyce, Tom Pratt, Michael Vaitkunas, Dale Warren, Tyler Warren and wife Shauni, Joel Warren and wife Kristine, Amanda Martin and husband Steve, Allison Dones and husband Jonathan, Otto Ruderman, and Jeffrey Ruderman; nine great-grandchildren; as well as three nephews. Along with Edmund, Barbara was also predeceased by her sister, Dolores (Lazutka) Yuknis Adamenas, in 2013; and one nephew in 2016.
Barbara was born in Chicago, IL to the late Michael C. and Anna R. (Palulis) Lazutka, where she graduated from Nativity Blessed Virgin Mary School, St. Casimir Academy High School, and Ray-Vogue School of Design. She married her beloved Edmund in 1958 in Chicago, prior to their move to Massachusetts that year. They settled in Auburn in 1966.
Barbara worked at F. Schumaker & Company as a design consultant for several years before marriage, and retired from Consolidated Beverages in Auburn after 15 years of dedicated service.
She was a faithful member, for many years, of North American Martyrs Parish in Auburn, where she was also former President of the Woman’s Club. In her dedication to her faith and her home parish, Barbara enjoyed decorating the church during holiday seasons, year after year.
Above all, Barbara loved spending time with her family, and was always going above and beyond for others. She also loved caring for her home and yard, cooking Lithuanian food for her family, having coffee with her girlfriends at McDonald’s, and a glass of wine with her neighbor.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to North American Martyrs Church or to Kateri’s Kitchen, 8 Wyoma Drive, Auburn, MA 01501 (https://namartyrsauburn.org/donate-here).
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the Vaitkunas family from 4 – 7 PM on Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at the BRITTON-WALLACE FUNERAL HOME, 91 Central St., Auburn, MA. Her funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 AM on Thursday, February 16, 2023 at North American Martyrs Church, 8 Wyoma Drive, Auburn, with burial to follow at St. John’s Cemetery, 260 Cambridge Street, Worcester.