Chicopee, MA – Marjorie Lonczak, 97, beloved wife of the late Michael Francis Lonczak, passed away with her devoted daughter Sharon by her side on Saturday, July 6, 2019 at Wingate in Hampden, Massachusetts. She was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on December 7th, 1921, the daughter of the late William and Emily Tether Flowers. Marjorie was predeceased by her six siblings, including Maurice, Kathleen, Gordon, Reginald, Edna, and Brian. Marjorie is survived by her loving daughter, Sharon Davey and her husband Kenneth of East Fishkill, New York, as well as two grandchildren: James Davey and his wife, Stefani Gagliardi Davey, and Brooke Davey Milos and her husband Gregory, in addition to three great-grandchildren: Vivian, Emily and Ethan Milos.
Marjorie graduated from Strathmore High School in Edmonton, Alberta and received an associate business degree from McTavish College. Following college, she went on to work at the Canadian Pacific Railway. She and her husband Michael met in Edmonton while he served in the U.S. Army Air Force. They were married on St. Patrick’s Day at Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Edmonton on March 17th, 1945 and later settled in Chicopee, Massachusetts where she became a 73 year resident. She was always an outspoken advocate for girls and women and became the first woman to head the Manufacturing Specifications Office at A.G. Spalding. She was the proud mother of Sharon Lonczak Davey, born on July 24th, 1946 at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, MA.
An avid golfer, Marjorie was a member of the Spalding Golf League and the Wyckoff Country Club; she also played in numerous other golf leagues. She was very athletic and enjoyed speed skating, hockey, tennis and bowling. Marjorie was also a sports fan and loved to cheer for the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots. A seamstress, tailor, knitter, and Girl Scout leader, she enjoyed many hobbies and recreational activities. In addition, Marjorie was an active member of Grace Episcopal church where she was involved in the choir, altar guild and soup kitchen. She also loved shopping, much to the chagrin of her husband Michael.
Marjorie was a world traveler. Some of her most memorable trips were to Jerusalem, Athens and the Greek Islands, Portugal’s Algarve coast, London and Rome. She also loved the seashore and hiking on the beach. Cape Cod was one of her favorite places to vacation with her family where they would hand feed chickadees, nuthatches and cardinals at Beech Forest at the National Seashore. Marjorie loved animals, including dogs, horses, and cats. She bred miniature poodles in the late 1950s and early 1960s and always had two dogs by her side. Her dog Brady was a joy in her life and provided comfort and love when visiting her at Wingate with her daughter Sharon in the final days of her life.
Our family would like to thank the Wingate staff of Hampden, MA for their dedicated and kind, compassionate care. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 30, 2019 at New England Funeral & Cremation Center, LLC, 25 Mill Street, Springfield, MA beginning with visitation from 9-10AM and service at 10 AM. Burial will follow in the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery at 11 AM. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Visit nefcc.net