Joan Anna (Workum) Szumiel

Joan Anna Szumiel, 90, passed away at her home in Wilbraham on June 13, 2020.  Born in Wilbraham (1929) to Anna Panachyda and Alexander Workum, she was the second youngest of 14 children. She was predeceased by sibling Theodore, Mitchell, Mary Jarosz, Walter, Sophie Kogut, Anna Urban, Olga, Stella Kowalski, Josephine Wnuk, John, Joseph and Helen Kawchak.  She is survived by her sister Phyllis Sakowski, niece and special friend Jean Kogut Krol, and many nieces and their extended families.

She was a lifelong communicant of Immaculate Conception Church in Indian Orchard where she was a member of the Rosary Sodality.

Joan attended the Pines School in Wilbraham and Trade High School in Springfield where she played on the girls’ basketball team. 

She retired from Smith and Wesson in 1991.

Joan was married for 49 years to her beloved husband John Anthony Szumiel who passed away in 1998.

The best Mom, Grandma and Nana she was kind and thoughtful and never missed acknowledging holidays and special occasions.  She was a great cook and baker and for many years her favorite reading materials were Bon Appetite and Taste of Home.  She was especially excited when she got to meet Emeril Lagasse and have his cookbook autographed.  Joan enjoyed her lobster fest birthday parties and celebrated until she was 90.

She leaves her daughters Christine Johnson and husband Kenneth and Dianne Wolski and her husband David, granddaughter Corrine Wolski, grandson Kevin Wolski and his wife Sarah, and great grandson Rhys Anthony Wolski.

Per her wishes funeral services were private. Memorial gifts in her memory may be sent to the Dominican Nuns, 1430 Riverdale Street, West Springfield, MA 01089 or Friends of Wilbraham Senior Building Fund, 45B Post Office Park, Wilbraham, MA 01095.

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