Online Obituaries

Helen S. (Szczebak) Gossman,, of Springfield, had a great 90 years of life and, as she wished, died peacefully at home on Friday, April 29, 2016. She was a retired courier for the former Technicolor 3M Corporation. Helen was born on October 15, 1925 in Springfield and was a life-long resident. She was the daughter of the late Wojciech and Katarzyna (Krol) Szczebak. Helen was a communicant of Our Lady of the Rosary Church and was active in the PTA at the former school.

She loved puttering in her gardens and spoiling her animals. Helen enjoyed sitting outside in her backyard feeding birds, chipmunks and squirrels. She enjoyed her time vacationing with Joe and her children. Her fondest memory was the Alaskan trip she did in 2006 with all of her children.

She is predeceased by her husband, Joseph E. Gossman, who died in 2004, her brother Edward Szczebak, her sister-in-law, Shirley Szczebak and her daughter-in-law, Beatrice Puglise. She is survived by two sons, Michael Gossman of Chicopee and Stephen Gossman and his wife, Judie of Ludlow; a daughter, Janet Providakes of Ayer; three grandchildren, Lenny Lynch and his wife, Karen, Kimberly Lynch and Eric Providakes; two great grandchildren, Alicia and Taylor Lynch and many nieces and nephews.

Arrangements will be handled by Cierpial Memorial Funeral Home, 69 East St. in Chicopee Falls. Helen’s funeral will be held on Saturday, May 7, 2016 at 10 am, starting at the Cierpial Memorial Funeral Home, at the East St. location, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial in Our Lady of the Rosary Church, on 346 Franklin St. in Springfield, at 11 am. Calling hours are on Friday, May 6, 2016 from 4 to 7 pm. Burial will be at the convenience of the family.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 516 Carew St., Springfield, Ma 01104 or the Baystate Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice, 50 Maple St., Springfield, MA 01102.