Online Obituaries

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our Mother, Cecilia T. (Lukasiewicz) Balakier on March 17, 2022 in Wells, Maine. She was 104 years old, the oldest resident in Chicopee. Cecilia was a beautiful and interesting woman.

Cecilia was born in Holyoke on November 22,1917. She was raised in South Deerfield and later returned to Holyoke. She graduated from North Adams State College in 1939, during the Depression. Her first line of work was a Psychiatric Aide at the Hartford Institute of Good Living.

When she married, she moved to Chicopee, where she raised her family and continued her career. In World War II, she acted as a Black Out Warden. She also lived in Naples, Florida. Cecilia taught in the Chicopee Public Schools System for 30 years in the classroom, in Special Education and Art. Cecilia was an accomplished public servant and volunteer having served as PTA president and presiding on many committees including the Building Commissions of the Barry, Litwin and Bellamy Schools. She was an active member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society as past president and the Rosary Society. She was also a Docent at the Springfield Museum. She enjoyed many hobbies and artistic pursuits including traveling the world, reading, gardening, millinery, water-coloring, and yoga. Cecilia was the wife of the late Anthony J. Balakier for 55 years. She is survived by five of her seven children, Katherine, Anthony, Linda, Luise and George (Kathleen). She was predeceased by Anne and Barbara. She was grandmother to Erika, Anthony, Nestor, and Meghan and great grandmother to Cameron, Harlow, Ellie, Remy, Delia and Harrison. She will be greatly missed. May she rest in eternal peace. Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, March 23, 2022, from 4-7pm at the Cierpial Memorial Funeral Home on 61 Grape Street in Chicopee. Cecilia’s funeral will be held on Thursday, March 24, 2022, at 10 am at the funeral home, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at the Basilica of St. Stanislaus, 566 Front St. at 11 am. Burial will be in St. Stanislaus Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice.