Valeria Rosemarie Cegielski

Valeria Rosemarie (Kubeczka) Cegielski, 102 years young, was born on April 15, 1923, in Chappell Hill, Texas and passed away on July 25, 2025 in Houston, Texas. She was the seventh child born to William & Peggy Kubeczka. She was preceded in death by her husband, Anton D. Cegielski; her siblings: sisters, Mary, Catherine, Maggie, Gertrude, Caroline; brothers: Steve, Charlie, Theodore, Victor, Billy and Edwin. She is survived by one sister, Blanche Twardowski.

She is also survived by the following: her daughter, Lillian (John) Kozel, sons Anthony and Michael (Gloria) Cegielski and daughter Loretta (Paul) Zientek; grandchildren: Jason (Kendall) and Brian (Kristin) Kozel, Scott (Reena) Cegielski; Amy (Martin) Engquist, Erica (Russell) Edwards and Daniel Zientek; great-grandchildren: Caleb and Valerie Kozel, Caroline Kozel, Hayden and Kylie Engquist and Evan Edwards.

Valeria and Anton moved to the Houston Heights area in 1951, where she resided until her final day. They became parishioners in 1951 at All Saints Catholic Church where she attended mass for over 74 years and was a member of the Women’s Altar Society. She helped wherever she could from working the cake booth at the annual bazaars or helping the mend, make, or sew baptismal bibs, altar cloths or whatever needed “fixing”. She was an excellent seamstress. She made her children’s summer play clothes back in the day, her grandchildren’s costumes for Thanksgiving, Christmas, play productions, or whatever school activity came up. She was always asked to “take in”, “let out”, “shorten”, “lengthen” (if possible), or just “put a button on” many articles of clothing over these many years. She was always willing to help in any way possible whenever asked.

She especially loved going to the grandchildren and great grandchildren’s sports activities - sitting in the rain or cold during football games, baseball games, cheerleading, dance, etc. Whenever possible, she was there! She never forgot a birthday or an anniversary - she was always the first one to call, even early in the morning, and congratulate you.

Valeria had a “green thumb’. She loved working in her yard at any time of the day or year, whether it was planting a new garden, transplanting overgrown pots, offering anyone who needed a new cutting of a plant or shrub - she was always willing to share. Most of all, she always worked at pulling those “nasty weeds” out of her flowerbeds.

Valeria was also a good cook. She was famous for her “homemade” egg noodles to accompany her chicken soup - however, her daughters were never able to duplicate her masterpiece! Her pound cake, fruit salad, deviled eggs, raisin bran muffins, and pecan pies (which each family received one each of at Thanksgiving) will be greatly missed!

After being widowed at age 51, Valeria went to work outside of the house. She worked at the C&I Building in downtown Houston as an elevator operator for five years and then at the San Jacinto Building as an elevator operator for 17 years. She retired in 1999 when elevator operators were no longer needed!

One of Valeria’s favorite activities was to take an occasional trip to Coushatta in Louisiana. She was always willing to go when asked but, just for the day!

Valeria was a woman of deep Catholic faith, family, and friends. When asked what her secret to a long life was, she would always answer “hard work and keeping busy.”

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Valeria's name would be greatly appreciated to All Saints Catholic Church, 215 E. 10th St. Houston, Texas 77008, 713-864-2653.