WORCESTER__ Gladys A. (Szczepaniak) Pruszynski, 90, of Radius Health Care Worcester, formerly of View St., Worcester passed away after a long illness of vascular dementia. She was predeceased by her husband of 49 years Francis J. Pruszynski who passed away in 1991.
She leaves her two children, Frank J. Pruszynski and his wife Eileen of Dudley and her daughter Jo Ann Wrobleski and her husband Thaddeus of Leicester; two brothers, Charles J. Stephens and his wife Frances of Brewster; Edward Szczepaniak and his wife Jeanette of Worcester; a cousin Daniel Salata of Arizona; nieces, Antonia Velsor and her husband Philip of Wallingford, CT, Janice Wychorski and her husband Philip of Hilton, NY, Karen Castagno and her husband Anthony of Stonington, CT, Nancy Meehan and her husband Mark of Worcester; great nieces, Katherine Castagno, Emily Meehan; great nephews, David Wychorski, David Velsor, Brian Velsor and Shawn Velsor and his wife April and their children Chris and Victoria; her close neighbors Debra and Steve Spangler and their children Anthony and Samantha.
Mrs. Szczepaniak was born in Worcester on May 19, 1917 the daughter of Walter and Aniela (Jarmusz) Szczepaniak. She graduated from Commerce High School and worked at Worcester Underware and later Worcester Mutual Insurance now the Hanover Companies. She worked with the creators inventors of the Smiley Button. Gladys had been a member and secretary of the Worcester County Group of Insurance Women and retired many years ago. She enjoyed traveling and volunteering at St Vincent’s Hospital for various physicians and also their gift shop. She enjoyed crafting, sewing and quilting projects as well as being an avid reader. Gladys was a member of Our Lady of Czestochowa Church and its Women’s Guild. She was a member of the Worcester Girl’s Club, the Guild of Our Lady of Providence. The family wishes to extend a sincere thanks to all the staff on the 4th floor at Radius Healthcare especially Dot, Debbie and Bonnie.
The funeral will be held on Saturday April 19 from HENRY - DIRSA FUNERAL HOME, 33 Ward St. with a Mass at 10:30 am in Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, 34 Ward St. Burial will be in Notre Dame Cemetery. Calling hours in the funeral home are Friday April 18, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. Flowers may be sent or contributions may be made to Our Lady of Czestochowa Memorial Fund, 34 Ward St. Worcester, MA 01610.