Estelle (Kusiak) Smus

Estelle (Kusiak) Smus passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 12 at Baystate Medical Center surrounded by her loving family. A long-time resident of Ludlow, MA Estelle grew up in Chicopee and Springfield. She was educated in local schools, and was a communicant of Immaculate Conception Church. She married Edward A. Smus, with whom she shared 64 years of marriage before his death in 2004. She fondly recalled how they first met, passing each other in a stairwell, each on their way to work. They soon began their courtship, sharing ice cream at the soda counter of the local Jane Alden and riding the bus to enjoy Forest Park.
Estelle’s first love was for her family and home. She lovingly raised three children, and then later was a doting and loving grandmother. “Stell” also worked outside the home, and with her love of fashion, was thrilled when she was hired to work in ladies apparel at Steiger’s. Her sense of style and friendly personality soon earned her a promotion to the jewelry department, which she loved, thrived in, and was most proud of. Estelle enjoyed shopping, travel, word puzzles, bird watching, and sharing fun times, especially those spent at the beach with her family. Westport, Hampton Beach, and Maine were favorite spots, walking among the beach roses and gooseberries, collecting sea glass and shells, and dining at “The Bayside”. She loved good food, especially the traditional Polish dishes, and everyone knew how much she enjoyed a good lobster dinner.
Estelle was predeceased by her husband Edward Smus, and her cherished three children, Gloria Jurkowski, Jeraldine Miccoly, and David Smus. She was also predeceased by her siblings Walter and Wanda, and by dear baby granddaughter Christine Jurkowski.
She leaves to cherish her memory grandchildren Robert Miccoly Jr. of Ludlow; Katherine Jurkowski of Wilbraham; Peter Miccoli and his wife Tamara of Ludlow; Brian Jurkowski and his wife Phyllis of Springfield; and Bonnie Massoia and her husband Scott of Feeding Hills. She leaves nine great-grandchildren: Angelina, Anthony, David, Genna, Gregory, Marysa, Nathan, Peter, and Samuel. She was their beloved “Babci” or “Gram” and will be greatly missed by all of them. Her dear sister Antoinette Keeley of Agawam survives her, as do nieces Marjorie DeDeurwaerder and Joan Allard. She leaves many treasured friends and extended family. She was forever grateful to know Elsie Quaglia of West Springfield. Having met while both lived on Suffolk Street so many years ago, Elsie was Estelle’s lifelong closest and dearest friend who meant so much to her.

Independently owned and Operated Kapinos-Mazur Funeral Home and Cremation With Confidence by Kapinos-Mazur Care For The Community Since 1932