October 18 1927 April 24 2020
Annette L. (Stefanik) Okscin, 93, was called safely home on the wings of an Angel on Friday, April 24, 2020 at Mount St. Vincent Care Center in Holyoke. She passed tragically from the Covid-19 virus, surrounded by her loving caregivers. Born October 18, 1927, daughter of the late John and Katherine (Pasternak) Stefanik, she was a lifelong Chicopee resident and a graduate of Chicopee High School. Annette was a communicant of the Basilica of St. Stanislaus, Bishop & Martyr, and served her parish as a member of the St. Vincent dePaul Society and as a pierogi maker. She worked as a secretary in the Chicopee School District, and was an avid reader. In her retirement, Annette volunteered at the MA Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Agawam. Annette was predeceased by her beloved husband, John Okscin, and her sister, Teresa Stefanik. She is survived by her loving daughters, Laurie Gibbons and forever love, John Cassidy, of Ludlow, and Mary Janik and husband Robert, of West Barnstable; precious grandchildren, Brian Janik and wife Jacqueline of Brick, NJ, Justin Moynihan of West Springfield, Gregory Janik and wife Tracy of South Hadley, and Erin Gibbons and her love, Seth Moyer, of Worcester. She is also survived by her loving and beautiful great grandchildren, Nathaniel Janik, Addison Moynihan, Madeline Janik, Kaleb Janik and Elijah Leduc. “I was blessed to be able to see my mom during the last seven days of her life. I held her hand and prayed by her side. I stroked her forehead and for the last time, she opened her eyes and smiled. My mother was the strongest person I ever knew. Her love for our family was beyond words. The last two and a half years I was there reading to her, looking at old pictures and reminiscing about days of old. Even though she had dementia and aphasia, she had moments of clarity. We laughed and cried, we hugged and kissed… I will miss you beyond words. You were the light in my darkness. You were the light of my life”. A mother’s song, Heaven’s Garden, “Tell me if heaven has a garden, could you take my mama there, walk her slowly to your flower bed, pick her roses for all the words unsaid. Kiss her gently upon her soft cheek, carry her if her legs are weak, please tell her I’m ok down here, does she see me, can she hear? I’ve heard heaven has a garden, with angels singing on a cloudy bandstand, up in heaven in that garden won’t you take my mama there by the hand. She left me with memories made of gold, her gentle love was a wonder to behold. Ask her to sing her favorite song, from way down here I’ll sing along”. Annette’s family would like to give special thanks to the loving and caring nurses and staff of Mount St. Vincent for all the love and care they gave to mom. Funeral services and burial in MA Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery will be held privately. Memorial contributions in Annette’s name may be made to the Dementia and Alzheimer’s Association, 8180 Greensboro Drive, Suite 400, McLean, VA 22102. kozikowskifuneralhome.com
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Annette L Okscin October 18 1927 April 24 2020.
Death notice for the town of: Chicopee, state: Massachusetts