Obituary for Justyna Mary Carlson (Steuer)
Justyna Mary (Steuer) Carlson, 78, of North Adams died on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at her home. She was born in Adams, MA, at W.B. Plunkett Hospital on June 14, 1944, a daughter of the late Edward Gordon Steuer and Julia Agnes (Kruszyna) Steuer.
Justyna attended Drury High School and graduated with the class of 1962. She then attended Georgian Court College (now University) in Lakewood, New Jersey, and graduated with the class of 1966 with a BA in Spanish. She obtained her Master of Arts in teaching from the University of Massachusetts and received a second master’s degree in Spanish from Middlebury College.
Her first teaching position was at Immaculate Conception in San Antonio, Texas, as part of Catholic Lay Mission Corps working with missionaries teaching sixth-eighth grade Hispanic students.
After a year in Texas, Justyna taught Spanish at Frontier High School in South Deerfield, then was a recruiter for her college. She returned to the area as a language coordinator and department supervisor for Mount Anthony Junior and Senior High School. She was an adjunct Spanish Professor at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts from 1982 – 2005 and also taught at the former Southern Vermont College in Bennington, VT.
Justyna was a devoted communicant of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church as a Lector, Eucharistic Minister, and Adorer, and she was an organist of 65 years for St. Francis, St. Elizabeth and other local churches. She was also a member of Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Court Margaret #629 where she held several leadership positions. Justyna was a member and officer of the North Adams Historical Society, shared her love of North Adams with visitors to the Tourist Information Booth, and was a Docent at North Adams Museum of History and Science. She was a member and chairperson of the North Adams Historical Commission, an usher at Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, and an organizer of Drury Band and Chorus Alumni events.
Justyna took pride in serving her civic, faith, and academic communities, and was recognized for these achievements and commitments. She was a lifelong member of Kappa Gamma Pi, a National Catholic College Graduate Honor Society, serving as its National President from 1997-2001. In 2017, she received the Woman of Achievement Award from the Northern Berkshire Business and Professional Woman's Club and was honored along with her husband, Gene, as the 2019 Northern Berkshire Heroes by the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition.
Justyna leaves her husband, Gene Stewart Carlson, whom she married on July 8, 1978; her daughter, Marissa Eilleen Carlson (Tara Johnson) of North Adams; a granddaughter, Ksena Justyna Johnson; and many beloved cousins and extended family.
FUNERAL NOTICE: A Liturgy of Christian Burial for Justyna Carlson will be celebrated on Friday, March 17, 2023, at 11:00 AM at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church. Burial will follow in Southview Cemetery. Calling hours will be Thursday from 3-7 PM at the Flynn & Dagnoli Funeral Home-WEST CHAPELS, 521 West Main St. North Adams, MA 01247. Memorial donations may be made to St. Elizabeth Church or the North Adams Historical Society in care of the funeral home. To add to the Book of Memories, please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com
Justyna attended Drury High School and graduated with the class of 1962. She then attended Georgian Court College (now University) in Lakewood, New Jersey, and graduated with the class of 1966 with a BA in Spanish. She obtained her Master of Arts in teaching from the University of Massachusetts and received a second master’s degree in Spanish from Middlebury College.
Her first teaching position was at Immaculate Conception in San Antonio, Texas, as part of Catholic Lay Mission Corps working with missionaries teaching sixth-eighth grade Hispanic students.
After a year in Texas, Justyna taught Spanish at Frontier High School in South Deerfield, then was a recruiter for her college. She returned to the area as a language coordinator and department supervisor for Mount Anthony Junior and Senior High School. She was an adjunct Spanish Professor at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts from 1982 – 2005 and also taught at the former Southern Vermont College in Bennington, VT.
Justyna was a devoted communicant of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church as a Lector, Eucharistic Minister, and Adorer, and she was an organist of 65 years for St. Francis, St. Elizabeth and other local churches. She was also a member of Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Court Margaret #629 where she held several leadership positions. Justyna was a member and officer of the North Adams Historical Society, shared her love of North Adams with visitors to the Tourist Information Booth, and was a Docent at North Adams Museum of History and Science. She was a member and chairperson of the North Adams Historical Commission, an usher at Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, and an organizer of Drury Band and Chorus Alumni events.
Justyna took pride in serving her civic, faith, and academic communities, and was recognized for these achievements and commitments. She was a lifelong member of Kappa Gamma Pi, a National Catholic College Graduate Honor Society, serving as its National President from 1997-2001. In 2017, she received the Woman of Achievement Award from the Northern Berkshire Business and Professional Woman's Club and was honored along with her husband, Gene, as the 2019 Northern Berkshire Heroes by the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition.
Justyna leaves her husband, Gene Stewart Carlson, whom she married on July 8, 1978; her daughter, Marissa Eilleen Carlson (Tara Johnson) of North Adams; a granddaughter, Ksena Justyna Johnson; and many beloved cousins and extended family.
FUNERAL NOTICE: A Liturgy of Christian Burial for Justyna Carlson will be celebrated on Friday, March 17, 2023, at 11:00 AM at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church. Burial will follow in Southview Cemetery. Calling hours will be Thursday from 3-7 PM at the Flynn & Dagnoli Funeral Home-WEST CHAPELS, 521 West Main St. North Adams, MA 01247. Memorial donations may be made to St. Elizabeth Church or the North Adams Historical Society in care of the funeral home. To add to the Book of Memories, please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com