DUDLEY – Wanda T. (Boksa) Kijek, 98, formerly of Schofield Avenue, died Friday, September 11, 2026 at Countryside Health Care in Milford with family at her side. Her husband of 53 years, Edward R. Kijek, died in 2000.
She leaves a daughter, Frances Brandin and her husband Martin of Upton; her daughter-in-law, Nancy Kijek of Hollywood, FL; 2 grandchildren, Keith Gajewski and his wife Kimberly, and Ashley Brandin and her husband Thomas Lobosco; her late granddaughter Kimberly’s husband, Richard Nolin; 6 great-grandchildren, Teddy, Cara, William, Bridget, Isabelle and Olivia; a sister, Rose Tavernier of Southbridge; nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son Jeffrey E. Kijek in 2024; by her daughter Diane W. Gajewski and son-in-law Leonard Gajewski in 2026; by her granddaughter Kimberly Nolin in 2018; and by her sister Barbara Fontaine in 2018.
She was born at home in East Brookfield on September 15, 1927 and raised in Southbridge, the first daughter of Walter and Bridget (Kowalski) Boksa, and was a graduate of Mary E. Wells High School. She lived in Dudley for over 70 years before moving to Eddy Pond in Auburn and then Milford.
Mrs. Kijek worked for over 20 years as a clerk in the traffic department at the former American Optical Company in Southbridge. She then was the secretary at Saint Andrew Bobola Church before retiring.
She was an active member of Saint Andrew Bobola, volunteering for its annual festivals and with her late husband organizing the weekly bingo games there. She belonged to the church’s former Holy Rosary Sodality.
Wanda enjoyed family gatherings, going on cruises and occasional visits to the casino.
The family would like to sincerely thank the staff at Countryside Health Care and the staff of Faith and Family Hospice for their tender and compassionate care of Wanda.
Her funeral will be held on Friday, September 18, from the Sitkowski, Malboeuf & Hickey Funeral Home, 340 School Street, Webster, with a Mass at 11:00 AM in Saint Andrew Bobola, 54 West Main Street, Dudley. Burial will be in Saint Joseph Garden of Peace, Webster. Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 AM on Friday in the funeral home, prior to the Mass. Donations in her name may be made to either Faith & Family Hospice, 400 Donald Lynch Boulevard, Suite 104, Marlborough, MA 01752 or to Saint Andrew Bobola, 54 West Main Street, Dudley, MA 01571.