LONGINA (Lonia) I (Zawadka) STROKOSZ, 78, of Methuen, died peacefully on Saturday morning, June19, 2010 at her residence, Methuen Village surrounded by her family. She was born in Zawiercie, Poland on July 20, 1931, daughter of Jan and Leokadia (Rozanska) Zawadka. On Sept 1, 1939, as WWII began, was to be Lonia’s first day of 2nd grade. Her education interrupted throughout the war, she finished her studies when the war ended. She was a life long resident of Chelsea and Revere, and for a time lived in Londonderry, NH and Phoenix, AZ.
While in Poland, Lonia worked as a dental assistant. She immigrated to the United States with her family in August 1965. While in the US, she was employed at Kayem, Polaroid, and Town and Country Jewelery, all in Chelsea. Most recently, Lonia resided at the Methuen Village Assisted Living Residences, where she leaves many new friends, and especially her dining companion, Ben Olenick.
Both in Poland and the United States Lonia was an active member in many social, cultural and civic organizations. She held office of treasurer in the Polish Club Kopernik in Chelsea, and helped organize many festive events. She was a devoted daughter, wife, mother, sister and a friend. All those who knew Lonia, will miss her gentleness, her kind words, and her delicious cooking. Lonia was a graceful ballroom dancer, and an avid reader of Polish books. She enjoyed entertaining and her many friends. Walking, especially on Revere Beach was one of her favorite activities. Her biggest passion, however, was her family, her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is survived by, Ursula J (Strokosz) and her husband Stanley Gabryjelski of Methuen; Margaret J (Strokosz, Karniej) and her husband Jack J McEachern Jr. of Salem, NH; grandchildren, Mark J Gabryjelski of Salem, NH; Henry and his wife Anne Gabryjelski of Seattle, WA; Diane A (Gabryjelski) and her husband Richard Hoffecker of Phoenix, AZ; Jennifer M (Karniej) and her husband Korrie Vinton of Franklin; Sabrina E Karniej of Alexandria, VA; Melissa (Yebba) and her husband Tim Malley of Hudson, NH; and Melinda (Yebba) and her husband Jeff Smith of Hudson, NH; great-grandchildren, Antonella Hoffecker of Phoenix, AZ, Simon and Peter Gabryjelski, of Seattle, WA; and Ava Malley of Hudson, NH. She also leaves her sister Krystyna (Zawadka) Gorgol and nephew Arnold Gorgol in Gliwice, Poland; a nephew Robert Gorgol and his family in Duisburg, Germany. Also lovingly survived by many nieces, nephews and extended family in Poland and in the US. Lonia was predeceased by her youngest daughter, Irene (Strokosz) Yebba, and her younger sister Zofia (Zawadka) Kot. Family and friends are kindly invited to attend a Funeral from the Smith Funeral Home, 125 Washington Avenue, CHELSEA on Friday, June 25th at 8 AM followed by a Funeral Mass celebrated in St. Stanislaus Church, 163 Chestnut Street, Chelsea at 9 o'clock. Visiting Hours in the Smith Funeral Home on Thursday from 4-8 PM. Services will conclude with interment at Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, West Peabody.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to National Breast Cancer Institute in the name of Irene (Strokosz) Yebba and Lonia’s, or to Beacon Hospice in Haverhill.