NIAGARA FALLS —
Stella B. "Stacia" (Gajski) Kowalski, 92 years old, a lifelong resident of Niagara Falls, died, peacefully, in Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, one week after becoming ill. She was born in Niagara Falls on March 5, 1920, the daughter of the late Walter and Josephine (Wypych) Gajski.
Stella was raised and educated in Niagara Falls and attended both Gaskill Jr. High and Niagara Falls High School. On June 14, 1941, she married John Kowalski and they shared a full and active life together for 63 years, until John's passing in December of 2004. A lifelong member of St. Stanislaus Church (Divine Mercy), she was employed at Kimberly Clark, Hens and Kelly Department Store and retired from General Motors. She was a Girl Scout leader in the 1950s, a voracious reader all her life and an avid golfer until ten years ago. She remained active on two senior ladies bowling leagues until a week before her passing, and was a member of the Duke Senior Center. Up until last week, Stella also enjoyed playing black jack at the Seneca Niagara Casino.
Mrs. Kowalski is survived by two daughters, Patricia (Robert) Presutti of North Tonawanda, NY; and Dorothy (Stephen) Garry of Silver Spring, MD. She was the grandmother of Kristen (Adam) Nelson of Olney, MD; Rebecca (Gerard) Goris of North Tonawanda; and Matthew (Meghan) Presutti of Lebanon, NJ. She is also survived by seven great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by all of her siblings, Caroline Kozuch, Jane Kalicki, Josephine Tomaszewski, Lottie Kokoszka and Leo Gajski.
Per Stella's expressed wishes, there will be no visitation nor service. Private burial will be held in Holy Trinity Cemetery, Lewiston. The family asks that those who knew her remember Stella with a smile and a prayer to a remarkable woman - a life well lived. Donations in Stella's name may be made to the Niagara Falls Public Library, 1425 Main Street, Niagara Falls, NY 14305, Attn: Jillian; or Niagara Hospice, Inc., 4675 Sunset Drive, Lockport, NY 14094. Arrangements entrusted to the LABUDA FUNERAL HOME, INC.
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