Julia F. (Cieplik) Wegiel

Julia F. (Cieplik) Wegiel, 97, of Springfield, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, October 8, 2023, surrounded by her loving family.  Daughter of the late Stanley and Victoria (Kwapien) Cieplik, she was born in Ludlow on December 23, 1925.  Educated in local schools, Julia was a lifelong communicant of Immaculate Conception Parish in Indian Orchard where she was also part of the pierogi-making crew.  She was a homemaker and helped her husband with his business, K&W Machine Works. She spent countless hours tending her vegetable garden and orchard canning delicious jams, vegetables and fruits.

Julia is survived by her children Julia Gazda, Lorraine Gazda and her husband Robert, her son John Wegiel and his wife Dana and by her sister Stephanie “Stella” Gay.  She also leaves her beloved grandchildren Mary, Katherine, Carol, David, Rachael, Rebecca, Alexa, and Natalia and her great-grandchildren Amber, Victoria, Jeremy, Dylan, Sarah, Cutler, Zelania, Lulani, Kyson, Raylee and Yazvani.  Sadly, she was predeceased by her husband Louis Wegiel, her son-in-law Edward Gazda and her siblings Walter, Tony and Josephine.

Julia had an avid love of her Polish heritage and enjoyed countless trips to Poland and other countries with her husband and oftentimes children and grandchildren. She loved Polish music and dancing to the tunes of her favorite polka bands. She hosted many holidays and parties, but her favorite holiday was Christmas and the traditional Christmas Eve “Wigilia”.  Julia and Louis included extended family for the spirited conversations in their basement which was decorated with the most beautiful treasures they had brought back from their many trips to Poland.  Julia also enjoyed dressing up her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in customary Polish costumes.   She was a “master” chef preparing and teaching everyone in her family how to make pierogi, gołąbki, cabbage soup, chrusciki, borscht and dill pickles.  She will be greatly missed at our annual Christmas Cookie weekend where she excelled in creating the teddy bear bow ties. Julia was devoted to her entire family.  There were never too many kids to babysit!  She would play cards, make delicious foods, have sleepovers and enjoyed recounting her many lifelong stories on the outdoor glider swing.  Thank You” to everyone at Homewatch CareGivers, Beacon Hospice, and the close family members who lovingly cared for Julia.

Visiting hours for Julia will be Thursday, October 12, 2023 from 9:00-10:15 AM at the Kapinos-Mazur Funeral Home, 64 Sewall St., Ludlow, MA followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM in Immaculate Conception Church.  Burial will be in St. Aloysius Cemetery.  Julia’s family asks that, to honor her memory, those attending wear a touch of pink, her favorite color.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Julia’s memory may be made to Immaculate Conception Parish, 15 Parker St., Indian Orchard, MA  01151.

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