Jane M. Luba (Zemanek), age 98, passed away peacefully on August 2nd, 2025 at the UMass Medical Center. Jane, a lifelong Chicopee resident was born to the late John and Mary (Gut) Zemanek. She is predeceased by her beloved husband Stanley Luba who died in 1997, a sister Stephanie Piela, and a brother Walter Zemanek. Jane leaves behind two sons, Paul Luba of Narragansett RI and his wife Faith, and James Luba of Auburn MA and his wife Nancy, a grandson, Paul LaSalle Luba and nieces and nephews.
Jane overcame hardship to lead a long, happy life dedicated to family, friends and hard work. The lack of much formal education did not hold her back from excelling at everything she tried. She was the hardest, most accurate worker at all of her factory jobs, often promoted to supervisor status. Her final job was as a special needs caregiver where she taught and helped individuals with physical and emotional disabilities.
Jane excelled as a parent, grandparent and sister. There is nothing that she would not do for, or share with her family, even if it meant her going without. Jane motivated her sons to attain college degrees, the first such in her family, making sure that their tuitions were paid without their getting student loans. She dutifully cared for her husband through his long illness.
Jane loved to keep busy, maintain a meticulous home where she independently lived in until 2024, and listen to Polka music. She was a fixture at local Polka dances, both in her youth, and in her later years.
Jane was beloved by her friends, neighbors and most recently, staff and residents of her assisted care facilities. Once, upon discharge from a physical rehabilitation center, Jane received a standing ovation from the staff there as she walked out the door, not because she excelled at her rehabilitation from a serious injury, which she did, but because throughout her time there she was always trying to help other residents. Jane was just a nice, caring person with incredible will, strength and resiliency.
Special thanks to the caring staff at both the Arbors Assisted Living in Chicopee, and the Life Care Center of Auburn, where Jane spent the last months of her life.
Please join us for a celebration of Jane’s life at the Grise Funeral Home. 280 Springfield Street, Chicopee, on Tuesday August 12, 2025 from 10:00 – 11:30 AM, followed by an in-house prayer service at 11:30. Burial will take place immediately after at the Holy Mother of the Rosary Cemetery in Chicopee.
Donations may be made in Jane Luba’s name to Kate’s Kitchen, 51 Hamilton Street, Holyoke, MA 01040.