WORCESTER___After a long full life, Josephine Anne (Matta) Gorczynski, 97, went to meet God on January 4, 2021.
Josephine is survived by her son Donald P. Gorczynski of Charlton, MA., her two sisters, Marjorie Prenda of Bristol, RI and Frances Zerella of Marlboro, MA., her beloved granddaughter, Jacalyn Anne Gorczynski and husband Taylor Pena of Lyman, Maine and many nieces and nephews. Josephine was preceded in death by her husband of 36 years, Theodore J. Gorczynski and her brothers, Salvatore Matta, Alphonse Matta, Louis Vincent and her sister Celia Murphy, Josephine was born on February 10, 1923 in Medway, MA and was one of seven children of the late Elizabeth and Egidio Matta, who emigrated from Italy to the United States. The family lived most of their life in Rutland, MA. During World War II, Josephine worked at a lunch counter in Union Station in Worcester, where, during breaks, she would wake soldiers sleeping on benches at the station so that they would not miss their trains. After working at Union Station, she continued her war effort by making pinions for bombs at Telechron in Worcester.
After World War II, Josephine met Theodore, her future husband at the Johnny Hines dance hall and they were married in 1953. She studied bookkeeping and was later employed at Empire Warehouse in Worcester as a secretary/bookkeeper for many years until her retirement.
Josephine greatly enjoyed traveling, particularly to tropical destinations including Florida, The Virgin Islands, Acapulco, her favorite destination, Hawaii, which she visited many times, once hiking to the top of Diamond Head on Oahu and snorkeling in Hanuama Bay, all at the age 70.
Josephine was also an avid walker. She walked to work in her earlier years and after retirement, she frequently walked downtown from her Vernon Hill home to attend brown bag concerts at Mechanics Hall, which she did well into her 80’s. She also walked to church at Our Lady of Czestochowa, of which she was a member for over 60 years. She loved dancing and participated in line dancing into her late 80’s. She enjoyed following basketball frequently watching the Celtics. Her family was always a focus for her, After raising her son, she helped to take care of her granddaughter Jacalyn in her early years and later in life would always brag about her accomplishments to anyone who would listen.
Funeral services will be held on Monday January 11, 2021 from HENRY-DIRSA FUNERAL HOME, 33 Ward St., with a Mass at 10:30 AM in Our Lady of Czestochowa Church 34 Ward St. The funeral mass will be livestreamed at www.olcworcester.com. Burial will follow in Notre Dame Cemetery. Calling hours in the funeral home are Sunday January 10, 2021 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. Flowers may be sent or memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 300 5th Ave., Waltham, Ma. 02451. Current guidelines for capacity, wear facemasks and distancing will be followed.