Mary Jane Strycharz

Mary Jane Strycharz passed away July 1, 2020 surrounded by her loving family at Baystate Medical Center after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born in Springfield on February 14, 1950 to the late Edward and Jane (Jakobczyk) Strycharz. Born and raised in Indian Orchard, she currently resided in Ludlow and was a faithful member of St. Elizabeth Parish. Mary Jane was a 1968 graduate of The High School of Commerce and went on to earn a paralegal degree at Bay Path University. She had worked for many years for the Hampden County District Attorney’s office and retired in 2019 after 20 years with Doherty, Wallace, Pillsbury & Murphy Law. She enjoyed traveling, being at the beach and cheering on the New England Patriots with Casey. An accomplished knitter, she was also excellent at Polish cooking. Most especially, family was at the center of her life. She loved cheering for her grandchildren at their sporting events and time spent at family gatherings.  A special thank you is extended to the oncology staff at Baystate Medical Center for the compassionate care given to Mary Jane during her illness.

Mary Jane will be dearly missed by her beloved family: her children, Beth Szemela of Indian Orchard  and Keith Szemela and his wife Betsey of Agawam; her partner of 27 years, Acacio “Casey” Ferreira of Ludlow; her sisters, Carole Brayton and her husband Gerry of Monson and Karen Drumheller and her husband Michael of Wilbraham; her grandchildren, Juliann, Joseph and Madelynn Szemela and numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 6, 2020 with a walk through visitation from 9:00-11:00 a.m. at Nowak Funeral & Cremation Services, 15 Ludlow Ave., Springfield. (Guests are required to adhere to state guidelines requiring no contact, social distancing, and wearing face masks.) A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Parish, 181 Hubbard St., Ludlow. Family and friends who would like to attend the funeral mass at are asked to assemble at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will then follow at St. Aloysius Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham MA 01701. To express online condolences, visit www.nowakfuneral.com.

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