Jennie (Chmura) Skaza

Jennie (Chmura) Skaza, 98, passed away peacefully at Cape Cod Hospital, Hyannis, MA on  Thursday, February 6, 2020.  Born in Indian Orchard, MA on February 26, 1921, she was the daughter of the late Thomas Chmura and Mary (Stec) Chmura.  Jennie was raised in the Indian Orchard section of Springfield, MA and graduated from Trade High School in Springfield.  She worked at US Envelope Company in Springfield until her marriage to Joseph A. Skaza in 1957.  Together Jennie and her husband raised their two children in Indian Orchard.  In 2017, Jennie moved to an assisted living community in Hyannis, MA.

Jennie had many talents and interests.  She was an avid sports fan and faithfully followed the Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots and Boston Celtics.  She was a huge fan of women’s college basketball, particularly the UConn Huskies.  Jennie enjoyed sewing and woodworking craft projects in her home.  She loved baking and was known for her famous apple squares and holiday cakes and cookies.  She enjoyed planting a vegetable garden each summer and looked forward to the pick-your-own strawberry and blueberry season each year.  Jennie was known to pick several flats of berries and then go home and give them away to friends and family.  One local farm nicknamed her the “Strawberry Lady.”

Jennie is survived by her daughter Patricia Schwarz and son-in-law Leonard of Cotuit, MA; sister-in-law Helen Migut of Springfield, MA; cousins Bishop Matthew Ustrzycki and Genny Ustrzycki of Guelph, Ontario; and several nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her husband Joseph; her son Joseph; three sisters, Stephanie Rzeszutek, Julie Chmura and Evelyn Miodonka; and two brothers, Raymond Chmura and Stanley Chmura.  She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

The family is grateful to the staff of Mayflower Place Nursing Center, West Yarmouth, MA and the doctors and nursing staff of Cape Cod Hospital Mugar 4 for their compassionate care of Jennie.

Visitation for family and friends will be held at Nowak Funeral & Cremation Services, 15 Ludlow Avenue, Springfield, MA on Wednesday, Feb. 12, from 9am – 10:30am  followed by a Funeral Mass at Immaculate Conception Church, 25 Parker Street, Indian Orchard, MA at 11am.  Burial to follow at St. Aloysius Cemetery, Indian Orchard, MA.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to Cape Cod Healthcare Foundation, P.O. Box 370, Hyannis, MA 02601.

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