Obituaries

Irene L. Stachecki

After prolonged illness, Irene L. (Maks) Stachecki of Southampton passed away quietly in her sleep Feb. 23, 2016. 

Predeceased by her husband of 64 years, Floryan “Flory” Stachecki, and two brothers, Frank and Valentine Maks, she is survived by three sons, Peter, of Northport, Charles, of Southampton, and Richard, of Campton, N.H, and one daughter, Linda Sendlenski of Southampton.  Irene was also the proud grandmother of 11 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Born in Riverhead, Dec.9, 1923, Irene sold movie tickets and worked as a telephone operator in her youth to help her family. Married at the age of 18, she quickly took to being a farmer’s wife.  She learned to plant and pick potatoes, to operate a vegetable stand, to cut seed potatoes and even to drive a farm truck and tractor.  Later, in addition to caring for her four children, she worked as a telephone company business representative.  When she retired, she continued working as the bookkeeper for her husband’s contracting firm, FGR Builders.

An excellent cook, Irene loved to entertain, and her home was a hub of activity.  If friends stopped by, a delicious — albeit impromptu — dinner would soon be on the table.  Irene’s grandchildren all learned to swim in her pool.  They loved to raid her pantry for the treats and juice that they knew were stocked there.  Irene and Flory attended every possible game, concert, recital and graduation they could.  After retiring to Florida, they kept clippings of all their grandchildren’s activities.

An avid gardener, Irene grew hundreds of beautiful tulips in her yard.  She enjoyed reading, crocheting and playing cards.  For decades, her Michigan Club played cards, chatted and dropped change on the floor for lucky children to find the next morning.  Irene and Flory enjoyed golf and dancing, especially the polka. They bowled in a weekly mixed league at the Polish Hall for years. They loved to travel, counting among their favorite journeys a cross-country trip to California and one to Poland, the land of their ancestry.

Irene’s friends recall her as loving and loyal, with an understanding heart. Her smile and bright blue eyes were captivating.  A lifelong friend remembered Irene as always knowing what to say to help keep him on the straight and narrow. Over and over, friends said she was just a special, caring person, known for cooking and helping those in need.  Most of all, Irene is remembered for her devotion to her family, her friends and her faith.

Irene’s family requests that memorial donations be made to the Dominican Sisters of Hope, 299 North Highland Ave., Ossining, NY 10562-2327; Our Lady of Poland R.C. Church, 35 Maple St., Southampton, NY 11968; or any veterans organization of your choice.

Visitation was held at O’Connell Funeral Home in Southampton. A Mass was held at Our Lady of Poland Church in Southampton, followed by burial at St. Isidore’s R.C. Church Cemetery in Riverhead.

This is a paid notice.