Online Obituaries

Stella B. (Midura) Czelusniak, age 99, of Chicopee, passed away peacefully at home on July 3rd, 2017. She was born on November 17, 1917 in Chicopee to Stanley and Bertha (Pietras) Midura and lived her entire life there. In 1935, she graduated from Chicopee High School and worked for many years in the corporate office of the Forbes &Wallace Department Store in Springfield, MA. She was a communicant of the Basilica of St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr, as well as a former member of its Rosary Society. Stella was also a member of the “Over 60 Club” of Chicopee and the American Bosch Retirees Club. She was predeceased by her husband, Alfred L. Czelusniak, (“Al Cocoa” Czelusniak”) in 1998. Stella was also predeceased by four brothers, Bernard Midura, Ernest Midura, Alfred Midura and Thaddeus Midura; one sister, Irene Zajchowski Pudlo and her daughter-in-law, Ann Marie Duffy Czelusniak. She leaves three sons, Richard and his wife, Barbara (Kolasz) of Lenox Dale, MA, A .George and his wife, Judith (Tyminski) of Chicopee and Daniel P. of Leesburg, VA. Stella is also survived by seven grandchildren: David Czelusniak and wife, Kim of Occhiuti of Medfield, MA; Thomas Czelusniak and wife, Kristin of Lenox, MA; Alyson Czelusniak and husband, Scott Miles of Waltham, MA; Shelly Hazlett and husband, Brian of Westfield, MA; Jill Czelusniak and husband, Patrick Keim of Fairfax Station, VA; Amy Czelusniak and husband, Greg Yadzinski of Fairfax Station, VA and Daniel A. Czelusniak and wife, Jessica of Arlington, VA. Stella is also survived three sisters, Josephine Filipowicz of Hadley, MA; Clara Waniewski of Feeding Hills, MA; and Eleanor Kozikowski of West Springfield, MA; 11 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Stella’s greatest joy in life was to witness the many successes achieved by her sons, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Stella’s family would like to thank the Home Instead, home health aides for their compassionate and loving care extended to Stella. Stella’s funeral will be held on Saturday, July 8, 2017 from the Cierpial Memorial Funeral Home on 69 East St. in Chicopee Falls at 9 am, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial in the Basilica of St. Stanislaus at 10 am. Burial will be in St. Stanislaus Cemetery. Calling hours are on Friday from 4 to 7 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Stella’s memory to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.