Theresa (Zawadzki) Szumski

Theresa “Terry” (Zawadzki) Szumski, age 82, of South Hadley, passed away peacefully on August 16, 2021 at Holyoke Health Care Center. Terry was the daughter of the late James and Eva (Malanowski) Zawadzki of South Hadley. After attending Mater Dolorosa Grade School, she attended South Hadley High School where she graduated Pro Merito in 1956. She then went on to work as a legal secretary for 14 years at the Law Offices of Davenport, Millane & Oldershaw. She left in 1970 to raise her three children. Terry began volunteering at Mater Dolorosa School in 1982 and became the parish secretary in 1983; she held that role until the church closed in 2011. She then became the manager of Mater Dolorosa Cemetery and continued working into her 80’s until her illness made it impossible for her to work any longer. Terry was very active in her church, participating in many ministries and groups, and fulfilled many volunteer roles such as lector, Eucharistic Minister, choir member, Parish Council secretary, Pro-life organizer, and volunteer at several functions. Terry enjoyed watching the wildlife that caller her backyard home, including hummingbirds which she fed regularly. She enjoyed doing daily crossword puzzles, her Chinese lunches with her sister Helen, getting together with her beloved siblings for a mean game of Pitch, and listening to the laughter of her children and grandson as they played board games at the kitchen table. Terry leaves behind her beloved children: Eve Cadigan of South Hadley, Vickie Latham and her husband Michael of Grand Junction, CO, and Paul Szumski of Easthampton, as well as her much loved grandson, Jack Cadigan. She also leaves behind her siblings: Helen Dellapenna of Granby, Frances Lapinski of Venice, FL, James Zawadzki and his wife Marianne of San Diego, CA, Dorothy Skibel of South Hadley, and Carolyn Casiello and her husband Dave of Agawam, and many nieces and nephews. Terry’s family wishes to thank Holyoke Medical Center, Holyoke VNA, Holyoke Health Care Center (especially the 3rd floor staff), and New England Hospice for their compassionate care. Family and friends are invited to gather at Our Lady of the Cross Parish Church on Holy Cross Avenue in Holyoke for a Mass of Christian Burial for Terry on Monday, August 23 at 11:30 am, with burial immediately following in Mater Dolorosa Cemetery in South Hadley. Calling hours will be held in the church prior to the Mass on Monday from 9:30 to 11:30 am. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of the Cross Parish, 15 Maple Street, Holyoke, MA 01040.

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