Northampton, MA – Dr. Jane Marie (Gronostalski) Zapka passed away peacefully on Monday, May 4, at Rockridge Retirement Community. Jane was born in Northampton to the late Edward and Mary (Machaiek) Gronostalski.
She was raised in Hadley, attended local schools, and graduated as valedictorian from Hopkins Academy. She then furthered her education, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors from Skidmore College with a major in Biology and a minor in Education. She later graduated from UMass with a Master’s degree in Community Health Education from the School of Public Health. Her final degree was a Doctor of Science in Health Administration from the Harvard School of Public Health.
Her professional career began as a science teacher at Port Washington Weber Junior High School for one year. She then moved to UMass Amherst, where she worked as a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Department of Public Health for two years. Continuing at UMass, she then evolved to be the University’s first Health Educator in the Division of Community Health Education for three years. In 1972, she became the Director of the Division of Community Health Education and member of the Executive Staff including having the role of Lecturer and Field Training Supervisor. College health became her life’s work. She served as University Health Services’ Public Health Educator for 11 years.
After many years working at the UMass Medical School in Worcester, she transitioned to Professor of Biostatistics, Bioinformatics, and Epidemiology at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Her expertise was in primary care and preventive services, with a focus on program evaluation, quality improvement, managed care, and other health services research areas. She participated in community-based projects involving provider, patient, and public education to improve the quality of and participation in breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening. She was involved in studies concerning quality of care at the end-of-life, policy analysis of state tobacco legislation and lifestyle interventions in the workplace to reduce obesity.
During her career, she earned many awards. Among those she was most humbled by were the APHA Health Education Section Early Career Award and the Peggy Schachte Research Mentor Award. Jane authored more than 200 medical publications. Her true claim to fame was her outstanding ability to write and obtain grants for the colleges at which she worked and to mentor others on how to succeed in writing grants.
The most important part of Jane’s life was her love for her family. She married the love of her life, David Zapka, in December 1968. Together, they built a house in Hatfield and created a life filled with joy and happiness. They traveled extensively to Europe and through much of the U.S. She was a philanthropist and known for her support of an extensive number of charities. She loved dogs, especially poodles. The majority of their dogs were rescue dogs. They were her kids. During their marriage, they purchased multiple homes near the locations where she worked. Their primary residence remained in Hatfield, with additional homes at Lake Wyola, Worcester, Shrewsbury, South Carolina, Galt Island, and a retirement home on Pine Island, FL. Jane loved creating wonderful parties, so they built a carriage house in Hatfield to make entertaining easier. Family and friends were always welcome to visit. She also loved sending cards to her siblings, nieces and nephews, extended family, and friends.
She was predeceased by her parents, Edward and Mary (Machaiek) Gronostalski; her brother, Edward; and her loving husband, David. She is survived by her sisters: Mary Ann and her husband David Marko, of Clinton, NY; Rosalie E. Gronostalski and her husband Richard Delsie of Hooksett, NH; and Kathryn Jeffrey of Umatilla, FL, her sister-in-law, Carol (Hughes) Gronostalski of North Attleboro, her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Martin and Karen Zapka of Whately, and many nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, May 23, 2026, from 9:30–10:30 AM at Czelusniak Funeral Home, followed by a service of remembrance to follow at Czelusniak Funeral Home at 10:30 AM with Jack Cooper as officiant. A eulogy to be given by Rosalie E. Gronostalski. Burial will follow at Hatfield Main Street Cemetery. Donations in Jane’s memory may be made to Poodle Rescue, Rockridge Retirement Community, or Hospice of the Fisher Home.
Please go to Czelusniakfuneralhome.com for online condolences and tribute book.
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