Barbara Ann Dutkiewicz, 77, peacefully entered eternal rest on July 15, 2022 after a long illness. She was lovingly cared for in her last days in her own home by her brother Thomas, her devoted long-time friend Bill Donovan, and hospice nurses. Barbara was born in Enfield, Connecticut to loving parents, the late Bernard and Helen (Pietras) Vyzga. The family relocated to the Pine Point area of Springfield where Barbara was a communicant of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church. She attended Duggan Jr High and then graduated from Commerce High School in 1962. After graduation, Barbara was employed as a bookkeeper at Springfield Beef Company. In 1970, she was introduced to Thaddeus "Ted" Dutkiewicz by a mutual friend and they soon were married, and settled on Stone Path Lane in West Springfield. Ted was a well loved and respected teacher and track and field coach at Technical High School and Central High School, both in Springfield. Barbara often traveled with Ted to athletic meets throughout Massachusetts and New England offering support in whatever way she could. They both shared a love of American history and often made trips to historic sites throughout the northeast. After the birth of their son, Thad, she devoted herself to being a stay-at-home mom. Later in life she returned to part-time work, first at the American Red Cross then at the Springfield Smoked Fish Company. Sadly, her husband Ted predeceased her in 2002. A voracious reader, Barbara especially loved crime thrillers and non-fiction books on American history. She also loved studying her family genealogy and reading about her Polish heritage. She loved to cook and was always bringing one of her special dishes to friends who were ill or in need. Gardening was another passion of hers and besides taking meticulous care of her own yard and gardens, she was a member of the Blooming Bunch Garden Club. An avid and accomplished knitter, she was a member of the Knitting Club at St. John's Church in Agawam, helping knit prayer shawls for the seriously ill. A very social and outgoing person she also belonged to the Over Sixty Club at Sacred Heart Church in Springfield and the Red Hats Ladies. Barbara was challenged with life long chronic health issues but inspired her family and friends as she faced these hardships with courage, a witty sense of humor and her strong faith in God. She will be remembered by so many for touching their lives with kindness, generosity, and her gentle loving spirit. Barbara's family would like to offer a special thanks to the nurses on Wesson 4B and to the hospice nurses that cared for Barbara at home for their kind and compassionate care. She is survived by a son, Thad Dutkiewicz of Huntington, two brothers, Thomas Vyzga of Ludlow, Bernard Vyzga of West Hollywood, CA, two godsons, Larry Pietras and Michael Turgeon, a niece, Lynn Vyzga, and three nephews, Thomas Vyzga, Jr., Joseph Vyzga and Mathew Vyzga. The funeral will be Friday, July 29, 2022 at 9am from the Curran Jones Funeral Home, 109 Main Street, West Springfield, followed by a Mass at 10 at Sacred Heart Church, 395 Chestnut Street, Springfield. The burial will follow in St. Stanislaus Cemetery in Chicopee. Calling hours are Thursday from 4-7pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Shriners Hospital, 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104. For online condolences, please visit www.curranjones.com