Frances Margaret Walczak

Frances M. Walczak 1924 - 2009 CHICOPEE - Frances M. (Piesyk) Walczak, 85, of Chicopee peacefully entered into eternal rest on Saturday, December 5, 2009 following a lengthy illness.  As her health declined she remained in the comfort of her home in the loving care of her son, Gene.  Frances was born in Chicopee on March 28, 1924, daughter of the late Louis and Anna (Starczyk) Piesyk.  Frances was married to the late Stanley J. Walczak, Sr. who predeceased her in 1965.  She is survived by her sons and daughters, Stanley J. Walczak, Jr. of West Springfield, MA;  Joan (Judy) Lynch and her husband Jack of Simsbury, CT; Melvin Walczak and his wife Lonie of Columbia, SC; Gene Walczak residing at the family home; Marsha Sawyer of Ogdensburg, NY; and Francis Walczak and his wife Grace of South Hadley, MA.  Frances is also survived by fifteen grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren.  She was predeceased by one son, Dr. Joseph Walczak and by one granddaughter, Sharon Lynch. Beginning her career with the Fisk Tire Company, Frances served as a riveter working on tail sections of airplanes as part of the war effort.   This inspired a longtime interest in airplanes which she later shared with her children.  She also worked for Steiger's department store in Longmeadow before accepting a position as an inspector with the Titeflex Corporation.  There she worked on products which were used to support the Space Shuttle program until her retirement in 1992. Frances was a huge Yankees fan and she was delighted when they won the 2009 World Series.  She enjoyed camping, the outdoors, nature photography, going to air shows, and visiting her children and their families.  She became an avid quilter following her retirement and was known to gift quilted items throughout the years as an expression of her appreciation.  She created hundreds of quilts for family and friends.  Frances loved to travel and made numerous trips with her children to such destinations as Nova Scotia, the Southwest, Italy, Northern New England, and the Southeast.  Upon her retirement, she spent six weeks driving across the United States visiting the Grand Canyon and New Mexico where she rode a hot air balloon in the annual balloon festival in Albuquerque, NM.  Arrangements will be entrusted to the Tylunas Funeral Home on Broadway in Chicopee.  Calling hours will be Thursday, December 10, 2009 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., and will be followed by a memorial service at 7:00 p.m.  Committal services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 11, 2009 at St. Patrick's Cemetery on Fuller Road in Chicopee.  Memorial contributions in Frances' name may be made to the Thomas J. O'Connor Animal Control & Adoption Center, 627 Cottage Street, Springfield, MA 01119.