Irena (Stachowiak) Suski, 91, of New Britain, passed away peacefully in her home on Saturday, November 24, 2018. Born in New Britain, CT to Antoni and Feliksa (Rozwadowska) Stachowiak, she left the U.S. for Poland as a young child with her parents and sisters. She was only 12 years old when the Nazis invaded Poland; she lived through World War II and an occupied country. Soon after the war ended, she married a dashing young soldier and started her family. Determined to return to the U.S., she successfully gained entrance for herself and her family in 1963. The family first settled in Chelsea, MA but later moved to New Britain in 1967 where she lived for the remainder of her life. After Irena’s retirement from Atlantic Aerospace in Newington, CT, she and her husband traveled to many destinations in the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East. Her greatest joy was personally meeting Pope John Paul II at the Vatican. In retirement, she not only helped care for her grandchildren but also became an actively involved member of her beloved Sacred Heart Parish. She was a member of the Sacred Heart Ladies Guild and Klub Katolicki Niewiast i Panien. She was happiest singing in the church’s St. Cecylia Choir during the holidays and every Sunday Mass. Until recently, she didn’t miss a babka-baking or potato pancake-making fundraiser. She also cooked food for the parish festival for over 10 years. Irena was an accomplished cook and baker, cooking homemade Polish specialties almost daily and distributing them to family and friends. Whatever family function she attended, she always brought homemade food and baked goods. She is survived by her six children, their spouses and grandchildren: Leonard Suski and his wife Grazyna; Anna Suski-Lenczewski and her husband Jan, Joanna Suski Link and her husband Christopher, all of New Britain; Janusz Suski and his wife Gina of Kihei, HI; Roman Suski and his wife Renee of Amherst, MA; and Witold Suski and his long-time companion Nancy Fagan of Hopewell Jct., NY. Her grandchildren, who will miss Babcia Irena very much are Henry Suski, Dr. Joanna Suski and her husband Fausto Minidio, Thomas Suski, Matthew, Stephen, Magdalena and Anthony Lenczewski, Thaddeus, Francesca and Felicia Link, and Jedediah Suski. She is also survived by her sister Cecylia Cygler and her husband Marian, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins both here and in Poland. She was predeceased by her husband of 65 years, Henryk Suski, her sister Genowefa Saba, and numerous sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law in Poland.
The family is most grateful to Marylka Czerczak who would regularly take Irena and her inner circle of friends to various functions or out to dinner where they would laugh, share stories and celebrate each other’s milestones.
Relatives and friends may call on Irena’s family on Thursday, November 29, 2018 from 4 pm to 7 pm at the New Britain Memorial-Sagarino Funeral Home, 444 Farmington Ave., New Britain. Funeral services will begin on Friday, November 30, 2018 at 8:30 am in the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 am at Sacred Heart Church, 158 Broad St., New Britain. Interment will take place in Sacred Heart Cemetery following the Mass. Memorial donations may be made in Irena’s name to Sacred Heart School, 35 Orange St., New Britain, CT 06053. To extend condolences or share a memory with the family please go to www.newbritainsagarino.com
