Mary Estelle Storozuk

HOLYOKE- Mary Estelle (Healey) Storozuk, 92, passed away peacefully on Sept. 12, 2014 having lived a long and gratifying life. She now joins her husband Casimir “Casey” Storozuk, Sr and their daughter Linda (Storozuk) Lussier in eternal peace and rest. Estelle was an intelligent and passionate woman born decades before her time. As a young woman she helped to establish unions in the factories of Holyoke and as a result was placed on the U.S. Government’s subversive list. Her husband Casey Storozuk, about a career Navy man was denied permission by the U.S. Navy to marry Estelle. It took clarification to reverse the Navy’s position. As a Navy wife, Estelle would pack up and with the three children to follow Casey to a new base and set up their new home. Having crisscrossed the country Estelle’s favorite home was the Panama Canal Zone. There, she learned Spanish and again caused Casey trouble with the Navy. He was called before his commanding officer and instructed to “control his wife” when MP’s reported her for visiting restricted areas of Panama. She never let this stop her food and medicine deliveries to help alleviate the extreme poverty. Estelle was an avid reader, storyteller and writer. She taught her children about the evils of prejudice, slavery, the Holocaust and other inequalities. She leaves behind to celebrate her life, her children, Beth and Greg Kane of Holyoke; Casey Jr. and Ava Storozuk of Chicopee; her adored grandchildren, Michelle Lussier Moriarty and her husband Matt; Ryan Kane and his wife Stephanie; Joseph Kane and his wife Cate and Emily and David Storozuk. She also leaves her precious great grandchildren, Jack and Tessa Moriarty and Jacob Kane. Her family wishes to express their gratitude and appreciation for the compassionate and gentle care she received from the wonderful staff at Holyoke Health Care Center. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, September 20, 2014 at 9:30AM in Blessed Sacrament Church, Holyoke. The Rite of Committal and Burial will follow in Mater Dolorosa Cemetery, South Hadley. Memorial donations in her name can be made to The Salvation Army, 271 Appleton St., Holyoke, MA 01040. Please visit www.messierfuneralhome.com for more details.