CHICOPEE – Mary J. (Wrzesien) Vanderwalker, 94, of the Fairview section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Friday, September 18, 2020. She passed into Eternal Life at Mercy Medical Center in Springfield surrounded by the care and comfort of her loving family. She was born at home in Chicopee on November 24, 1925, a beloved daughter of the late Jan J. and Karolina (Madoj) Wrzesien. She was raised in Chicopee, graduated from Chicopee High School in 1943 and had lived in Chicopee her entire life, settling in Fairview in 1953. As a youngster, she enjoyed ice skating. She was employed as a time keeper at the East Springfield plant of the Westinghouse Corporation in Springfield and had later worked as a deli clerk at the former Jumbo Supermarket and later the Big Y and Shop Rite Supermarkets, all on Memorial Drive in Chicopee. During her leisure time, she enjoyed sewing, furniture refinishing and cheering for her beloved Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots. Above all, she loved spending time with her family and her many friends. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Wallace F. Vanderwalker who was Called Home on Christmas Day, December 25, 1987. She leaves her three loving children, Cynthia A. Barbaro of Ludlow, Diane M. Vanderwalker of Chicopee and James W. Vanderwalker and his wife, Debra, of Westfield; her cherished granddaughter, Ashley A. Barbaro of Ludlow; her beloved great-grandson, Darren Zaldivar of Ludlow; her son-in-law, Christopher Barbaro of Ludlow; and her many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, numerous friends and extended members of the Vanderwalker and Wrzesien families. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her three dear brothers, William, Theodore and Walter Wrzesien; and her two dear sisters, Jennie Trojanowski and Jane Alves. Her funeral and burial was private for her family. There are no visiting hours at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Fairview Chapels, (413-533-3307), 506 Britton Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her memory to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 Saint Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959. For more details and to leave online condolences for her family, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
