Maria W. Stelmach

Maria W. Stelmach, 75, of New Britain, beloved wife of Joseph M. Stelmach, died Thursday, Jan. 10, 2008 at the home of her daughter in Kensington. She passed on peacefully after a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis. Born in Wieliczka, near Krakow, Poland, she was the daughter of the late Jan and Maria Stelmach Szymonski. She moved to New Britain in 1965 and was formerly employed at Atlantic Machine, New Britain General Hospital, and Fafnir Bearing Co. before retiring. She was a member of Holy Cross Church. Also, she loved long walks along the beach. In addition to her husband Joseph, she is survived by two sons, Artur Stelmach and his wife Tina of Florida, Eric Stelmach and his wife Ida of Maryland; four daughters, Joanna Gabin and her husband Albert of Florida, Maria Chylinski and her husband Stanislaw of Florida, Christine Sutton and her husband Stephan of Maryland, Elizabeth Berger and her husband David of Kensington. Also surviving are two sisters both in Poland, Krystyna Szymonska and Wieslawa Jedrzejewska; twelve grandchildren Alanna, Jessica, David, Robert, Carisa, Jose, Andre, Darryl, Roman, Dallas, Adam and Alec; many other step-grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews all whom she loved dearly. Funeral Services will be held Tuesday at 9:00 AM at Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home, 411 S. Main St. followed by a mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM at Holy Cross Church. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Calling hours are Monday from 5-8 PM at Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be made to Holy Cross Church, 31 Biruta St., New Britain, CT 06053 or to Hospice of Central CT, 205 West Main St. New Britain CT.