Stella Pyrek, 91, passed away peacefully with family at her side on June 24, 2021 after a short stay at Chestnut Hill of East Longmeadow. Born in Podobin, Poland on May 8, 1930 to the late Jozef and Agnieszka (Krzan) Smaciarz, she lived in Poland until the Russian invasion of World War II, sending her and her family to labor camps in Siberia. Stella and her family then traveled as refugees to Palestine, where she attended school, and other parts of the Middle East. From there, Stella moved to England, where she met her late husband, Stanley Pyrek. Stella and Stanley came to the United States in 1951 and settled in Springfield, Massachusetts, where they raised their family. Some years after Stanley’s death, Stella relocated to Hampden, Massachusetts to be closer to her family.
She worked for many years and retired from Milton Bradley in 1992. A faithful communicant of Immaculate Conception Church in Indian Orchard, she was a member of its Sacred Heart and Rosary Sodalities. She was also a member of the Polish National Alliance. She maintained long lasting friendships from: Poland, Palestine, England, through children and grandchildren, from Springmeadow Lane, Milton Bradley, and church. Her friendships and family, near and far, have been a source of much happiness for Stella. Her strong faith had sustained her.
Stella leaves her children: Joanne Libera and her husband John of North Kingstown, RI, Regina Klundt and her husband Joseph of Windsor Locks, CT, Christopher Pyrek and his wife Doreen of Enfield, CT and Wanda Gallagher and her husband John of Somers, CT; a cherished sister, Josephine Majcherowicz and her husband Christopher of Toledo, OH; 11 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and several godchildren. She also leaves behind friends whose daily interactions were a joy to her.
Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Stanley Pyrek in 1983; a grandson Stephen Libera; three brothers: Joseph, Stanley, and Adolek and three sisters: Maria, Jania, and Anna.
Family and friends are invited to attend the funeral services for Stella on Wednesday, June 30, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, 25 Parker Street, Indian Orchard followed by burial at St. Stanislaus Cemetery in Chicopee. Nowak Funeral & Cremation Services is entrusted with arrangements.
The family thanks the team at Chestnut Hill and Beacon Hospice for their combined compassionate care of Stella during her final days.
Mass cards are greatly appreciated and memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online at www.stjude.org.
Click here to view the live-streamed service: https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/1202253309
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