Stella (Piorkowski) Gocel

STELLA GOCEL, nee Piorkowski, age 92, passed away peacefully on April 11, 2018. Stella was born in Olszewka, Poland to Jan and Antonina Piorkowski. She married Boleslaw Gocel  in 1946 and came to the US in 1949 to begin a new life away from occupied Poland. She was predeceased by her parents, her beloved husband Boleslaw (William), sisters, Sophie Mroczkowski, Antonina Grabowska, Maria Andrezejewskqa, Czeslawa Berg and brother, Wincenty Piorkowski. She will be lovingly remembered by her three children Irene Croxton, Henry Gocel and wife Kate, Stanley Gocel and wife Joanne. She is also survived by loving grandchildren John Croxton and wife Kelly , Jennifer Croxton, Daniel Gocel and wife Casey, Michael Gocel and wife Natalie, Jeffrey Gocel and wife Margot, and  James Gocel.  Also survived by great grandchildren Ben, Jane, Carolina, Frankie, Lucy, Denali and Perry.  Stella was very proud of her Polish heritage and carried on her traditions with her family. She selflessly helped many family members immigrate to the United States hoping to afford them a better life.  She loved singing, music and dancing, spending many nights at the Polish Home in Bayway. She was a master gardener, growing all her own organic vegetables before it was popular. Her green thumb was passes along to her children and grandchildren.  She enjoyed a long career at Schering/Plough and was especially proud of her Perfect  Attendance Award. The family will receive relatives and friends Sunday from 3 to 7PM at Higgins and Bonner Echo Lake funeral Home 582 Springfield Ave, Westfield, NJ 07090. A mass of Christian Burial on Monday at 10AM at St.Theresa’s Church, Kenilworth, NJ. Burial to follow at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover.

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