WEBSTER – Constance V. “Connie” (Karabash) Czechowski, 89, died peacefully on Thursday, February 25, 2016 in Webster Manor of natural causes. Her husband of 20 years, Anthony A. Czechowski, Jr. died in 1967. Her son, Robert Czechowski, died in 1987.
She leaves 2 grandchildren, Christopher R. Czechowski and Jessica R. Czechowski; 4 cousins, A. Nicholas Groth of Orlando, FL, Leatrice Meagher of Webster, Jane Mullen of Thompson, CT and Russell Spahl of Dudley; and many friends.
She was born in Webster on May 26, 1926, the daughter of Dennis J. and Viola M. (Spahl) Karabash and was a lifelong resident. She graduated from Bartlett High School in 1944, where she was a
member of the student council. She completed studies at the former Peacock Beauty Salon in Worcester. She married her high school sweetheart Anthony in 1947.
Connie was a beautician at the Denholm & McKay Beauty Salon and then at Val’s Hairdressing Salon. She was the office manager at King Department Store for 19 years and the secretary at Saint Joseph Church for 11 years, retiring in 1994 after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
She was a communicant of Saint Joseph Basilica and very active in her parish. She belonged to the Holy Rosary Sodality, Sacred Heart Society, St. Anne Society and the St. Joseph Polish Women’s Club, where she served as first vice-president and then president from 1971 to 1973. She was a founding member of the Friends of St. Joseph and the first woman member of the parish council on which she served for many terms. She co-chaired the committee for the rededication of the church as a basilica. She helped maintain the church, rectory and cemetery grounds as a member of the Altar Guild. She served as chairwoman for the Partners in Charity Campaign in the parish several times. She was chosen as co-chairman of the first annual parish festival and served as its publicity chairperson for several years. She was also a captain for the 1-25 Club.
Mrs. Czechowski served as a selectman for the town of Webster for 5 years. She belonged to the local chapter of Beta Sigma Phi. She had been a member and director of Hubbard Regional Hospital.
As a newspaper reporter and photographer, she covered newsworthy stories and activities for the church and local affairs for both the Patriot and the Webster Times.
The funeral will be held Monday. February 29, from the Sitkowski & Malboeuf Funeral Home, 340 School Street, with a Mass at 10:00 AM in Saint Joseph Basilica, 53 Whitcomb Street. Burial will be in St. Joseph Garden of Peace. Visitation will be from 3:00 to 5:00 PM Sunday, February 28, in the funeral home. Donations in her name may be made to either Saint Joseph Basilica or to the Friends of St. Joseph School Fund, both 53 Whitcomb Street, Webster, MA 01570 or to the Susan G. Komen For the Cure, PO Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265-0309.