Online Obituaries

Patricia (Pat) A. Krzelest, 83 years, passed away peacefully on Sunday February 17, 2019 at Willimansett Center East in Chicopee. Born March 3, 1935, she was the daughter of the late John and Mary (Buczek) Krzelest. She was a resident of Chicopee and Holyoke. Pat was a communicant of the Basilica of St. Stanislaus, Bishop & Martyr, and a member of the St Stanislaus Rosary Society and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults program, or RCIA, helping lead prospective converts to Catholicism. She received her professional education at the Providence Hospital School of Nursing in Holyoke and St. Vincent Hospital School of Anesthesia in Worcester then graduated from the College of Our Lady of the Elms in 1966. After graduation, she worked as a nurse anesthetist and as the Director of the Mercy-Providence School of Anesthesia in Springfield. She was a member of the American Nurses Association, the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, and was President of the Massachusetts Association of Nurse Anesthetists. Pat was the family historian and shared her enthusiasm through newsletters, tapes and photographs. She was a keen gardener with a fondness for daylilies. Pat loved music and would want those who celebrate her life to “keep a song in your heart.” For a number of years she provided the music during weekly mass at Mount Saint Vincent Nursing Center. Pat was predeceased by her parents, brothers Peter, Mieczyslaw (Mitzi), Stanley, John and Bruno, and sisters Adele, Karolina (Kay) and Cecelia. She is survived by her sisters Genevieve Theroux of Agawam and Stephanie Stevens of Springfield, and seven nieces and nephews (Thomas (Barbara), William (Mary Ellen) and Jame (Pam) Theroux, Kathleen, Michael, John (Betsy) Stevens, Theresa (James) Tittle) and their families. Funeral services for Pat will be held on Saturday February 23, 2019 from the Cierpial Memorial Funeral Home at 69 East St. in Chicopee Falls at 9 am, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at the Basilica of St. Stanislaus at 10 am. Burial will be in St. Stanislaus Cemetery. Calling hours are on, February 22, from 3-5pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Stanislaus Ministry of, 40 Cyman Drive, Chicopee, MA 01013 or St. Stanislaus School, 575 Front St. Chicopee, MA 01013.