Online Obituaries

Stella Virginia (Dulak) Olbrych,103, born June 27, 1919, passed away on December 20, 2022 at Cape Cod Hospital after a brief illness. She was a lifelong resident of Chicopee until health issues forced her to leave her home at the age of 99. She was the daughter of Karol and Apolonia (Deren) Dulak and was predeceased by her husband John after 61 years of marriage.

Stella was a graduate of St. Stanislaus School, Chicopee High School and Bay Path Institute (now University) and started her employment at Eastern States Farmers Exchange as an Ediphone operator. After raising her three children she again worked outside the home as a clerk in the Chicopee Treasurer’s Office, retiring in 1980.

She was proud of her Polish heritage, had a strong faith and was a communicant of St. Stanislaus Basilica in Chicopee where she was a member of Rosary Society, St. Vincent de Paul Benevolent Society and Pierogi and Bazaar Worker. She served as secretary of Beautiful Years Club, Ministry of Care Committee and Parish Pastoral Council and faithfully counted weekly donations along with John.  She also volunteered at several nursing homes.

Stella was extremely devoted and generous to her entire family and remembered every birthday, anniversary and special holiday. She enjoyed cooking and was known for her wonderful baked goods.  Accomplished and able well into her 99th year, Stella continued to live alone, drive and manage her multi-family home. She enjoyed the past four years at Maplewood, an assisted living facility in Brewster.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her siblings, Eugenia Boruchowski, Mary, Annette, Peter and Walter Dulak and her beloved granddaughter Krista Gustafson. She leaves her daughters Dr. Elaine Gustafson and her husband Dr. Kent Gustafson of Athens, GA, Diane Rowe and her husband Jonathan Rowe of Eastham and son John and his wife Rev. Jennie Olbrych of Charleston, SC.

She is also survived by her cherished grandchildren, Kara Horton and her husband Joseph, Lisa Foulger and her husband Devin, John Olbrych and his wife Dana, Ruslan Olbrych and his wife Kasey, Christiana, Oksana and Maxim Olbrych and Linda Rowe as well as her adored great grandchildren, Jackson and William Horton and Charlotte and Sophie Foulger.  She also leaves nieces and nephews Marilyn Brennan, Regina Tirrrell, JoAnne Steele, and Walter, Karl and Michael Dulak and their families.

A Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, December 27, at 11:00 AM at St. Stanislaus Basilica, 566 Front St., Chicopee, MA with calling hours at Cierpial Memorial Funeral Home, 61 Grape St., Chicopee, MA from 9:30 to 10:30 AM preceding Mass. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that if you wish to make a donation in Stella’s name, please donate to the St. Stanislaus School, Attn: Cecilia Haier, 534 Front St., Chicopee, MA 01013.