Christine Wurszt

Christine Wurszt, 87, of Ludlow (previously of Indian Orchard), passed away Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at Baystate Wing Memorial Hospital in Palmer, MA. Chris was born in the small village of Lubaty, Poland. During WWII, she and her family were deported to Germany for forced labor on the farms. At nine years old, Chris already had to help in the fields. After the war, Chris spent four years in refugee camps. During this period, her parents contracted tuberculosis and were placed in a sanatorium. Kind, sympathetic families in the camps, among them the Popko family, looked after Chris and her sister. In 1949, when the Popko family emigrated to the U.S., Chris and her sister were placed in an orphanage - the International Children's Village in Bad Aibling. As the village was being liquidated in December 1951, Chris failed to pass the physical for entrance to the United States. She was separated from her sister and sent to a rehabilitation facility to avert the onset of tuberculosis. After a lengthy stay, Chris regained her health and was finally able to come to the United States and rejoin the Popko family.

At first, Chris worked in a factory while learning English. Then she studied to become a key punch operator in an insurance company. Soon she was hired by Mass Mutual Insurance Company where she worked until her retirement, 32 years later. Chris loved to cook, take care of domestic animals in her backyard, enjoyed dancing, and appreciated beautiful things. She loved people and had a very lively social life. For years, she served as Vice President of the Polonia Club. She was a dedicated and devoted parishioner of Immaculate Conception Church where she served as President of the Rosary Sodality, member of the Sacred Heart and St. Ann's Sodalities, member of the choir, volunteer at the annual Dozynski Festival and numerous parish functions.

The wife of the late Michael Wurszt, who died in 2014, Chris leaves her sister, Sabina Garrison and her husband James; step-son John Wurszt in the Czech Republic and his children, Julian Wurszt, Mark Wurszt (deceased), Janusz Wurszt and his wife Theresa and Marianna Wurszt; nieces and nephews: Hedy Teneczar, a lifelong friend (who eventually became her niece), and her husband Andrew, beloved Joseph "Joziu" Welcz, Stanley Wurszt and his wife Irene, Barbara Lesniak, Jane Pielecha and her husband Walter, Julian Wurszt and his wife Theresa, Halina Zuchowicz and friend John, Agnes Kreps and husband Marc and many cousins in the USA and Poland.

Calling hours for Chris will be held on Monday, January 16, from 4-7pm, at Nowak Funeral & Cremation Services, 15 Ludlow Avenue, Indian Orchard. The funeral will be held on Tuesday, January 17, gathering at the funeral home at 10am, followed by an 11am Liturgy of Christian Burial at Immaculate Conception Church, 25 Parker Street, Indian Orchard. Burial will follow at St. Aloysius Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Immaculate Conception Church, 25 Parker Street, Indian Orchard, MA 01151. To offer online condolences, please visit www.nowakfuneral.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Christine Wurszt, please visit our floral store.