SALEM- Emilia M. (Gesek) Stupakiewicz, 87, wife of the late Joseph C. Stupakiewicz, of Salem, died Wednesday evening, August 15, 2001 in the Salem Hospital following a short illness.
Born in Salem, she was the daughter of the late and Franciszek and Antonina (Lech) Gesek and was a lifelong resident of the city.
An active member of the St John the Baptist Polish Parish in Salem, she worked on committees to organize school trips and various church functions and was a member of the Holy Rosary Sodality where she served as secretary for 49 years, and took care of sending cards and calling all sick members. She was a member of the Ward One Social Club and a bingo member for 15 years.
Many years ago, she was employed at Hygrade in Salem. She then volunteered at Salem Hospital and later worked at Salem Hospital and Salem State College in their dietary departments. She worked as a matron for the Salem school department for 10 years before her retirement in 1976.
Keeping active throughout all of her life, she enjoyed sewing, crocheting, knitting and tatting, and took night classes in knitting, crewel work and typing. She remodeled fur coats, made winter dresses and suits for her children and made crochet banks for all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved to keep in touch with friends and family by telephone and by mail.
She is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Joseph and Linda Stupakiewicz of Dayton, Ohio, three daughters and their spouses, Rita and Fred Vigil of Sonora, CA, Dorothy Stupakiewicz of Salem, Evelyn and Michael Barr of Livermore, CA, seven grandchildren, Mark Goddu of Livermore, CA, Kathryn Chin of Midvale, Utah, Paul Goddu of Morgan Hills, CA, Teresa Hobson of Stockton, CA, Matthew Stupakiewicz of Florissant, MO, Daniel Stupakiewicz of Columbus, Ohio, Joy Stupakiewicz of Salem, eight great grandchildren, Maggie, Jacob and Michael Stupakiewicz of Florissant, MO, Joey, Chrissy, DeeDee, and Lacie Goddu of Livermore, CA and Brian Hobson of Stockton, CA, one sister, Sr. Mary Beatrice Gesek, C.S.S.F. of Enfield, Conn., one brother, Tadeusz and his wife Mary Gesek of Poughkeepsie, NY, one sister-in-law, Anna Gesek of Lynn and several cousins, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased one daughter, Valerie Vigil, two brothers, Albin “Gus” Gesek, Henryk Gesek and one sister, Monica Ozereko.
Her funeral service was held on Thursday, August 23, 2001 at 9:00 am from the Full-Spychalski Funeral Home, followed by a funeral Mass at 10 am at St John The Baptist Church and the burial was in St Mary’s Cemetery, Salem. Visiting hours were Wednesday 4 to 8 pm. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her memory to the St. John The Baptist Church, 28 St. Peter St., Salem, MA 01970. For guestbook and other information, visit www.SalemFuneral.com.