Stella F. (Zawisza) Ploszaj

SALEM – Stella (Zawisza) Ploszaj, 96, widow of the late Joseph T. Ploszaj, passed away Monday morning, July 17, 2017 at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London.  Born April 7, 1921 in North Westchester, she was the daughter of the late John and Mary (Resnick) Zawisza.  Stella and Joe wed on January 11, 1942, and shared 71 years of marriage before he predeceased her on June 19, 2013.  Stella had a true zest for life for ALL of her 96 years.  Many would affectionately refer to her as the “Energizer Bunny”, as she could run circles around many half her age.  After attending Bacon Academy in Colchester, she trained and worked as a hairdresser, but she will be remembered moreso for her talents as a seamstress.  At any given point in her adult life, Stella was always at the ready to help family, friends and the community-at-large; be it from the Salem PTA, Cub Scouting, the Salem Seniors – she was there.  However, her “labor of love” was that her dedication to and leadership with the Auxiliary of St. Joseph’s Polish Society in Colchester – of which she was the last surviving Charter Member.  Along with her sisters and many other volunteers, Stella could be found cooking in the club’s kitchen more often than not.  She leaves four children, Joseph Ploszaj of Oakdale; three daughters, Dorothy Mrowka of Colchester, Margaret “Peggy” Fedus of Chelmsford, MA and Mary Lou and husband, Gary Johnson of Groton; seven grandchildren, Jeffrey Watson, Suzanne Burns, Jennifer Octeau, Sherri Sullivan, Stephanie Ploszaj McClusky, Jessica Beauchamp, and Tammy Keller; 12 great grandchildren; a great great grandson; a sister, Wanda Mrowka of Colchester; her dear wonderful neighbors, Al, Lori, Ed, Alan and Pam – who were ALWAYS there for her and Joe; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and other extended family members and friends.  In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by a grandson, David Watson; her son-in-law, Lucien Mrowka; three sisters, Genevieve Drenga, Tillie Zeleznicky and Monica Everett; and five brothers, Raymond, Frank, August, Walter and Chester Zawisza.  A special thank you goes out to Dr. Manthous and the entire staff of Unit 4.1 at Lawrence + Memorial; your most sincere care and heartfelt concern during Stella’s last days will never be forgotten.  The family will receive guests 2-4 and 6-8 PM Friday (July 21st) at the Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home, 167 Old Hartford Road, Colchester.  The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated 10:30 AM Saturday (July 22nd) directly at Our Lady of the Lakes Church, 752 Norwich-Salem Tpke. (Rte. 82), Oakdale.  Following Mass, she will be laid to rest in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Colchester.  Donations in her memory may be made to Salem Vol. Fire Co., 424 Hartford Road, Salem 06420 or the Gardner Lake Vol. Fire Co., 429 Old Colchester Rd., Salem 06420.