Julia M. (Strom) Kuczwara

She was born in Cape Girardeau, MO, on November 18, 1927 to Raymond and Mildred (Oaks) Strom. Julia was educated in local public schools in Cape Girardeau and was a member of the high school Class of 1945. Upon her graduation, she entered nurses training at the Lutheran Medical School of Nursing in St. Louis MO and graduated with her certificate as a Registered Nurse in 1948. She worked as a nurse in local hospitals and nursing facilities for 39 years, often coming in on days she was not scheduled, retiring in 1987.

She married Roy W. Kuczwara on December 16, 1951 in Cape Girardeau and they celebrated 62 years of marriage together prior to his passing on April 1, 2014. Julia was a passionate flower gardener, designing with her husband, her own elaborate gardens including gardens around the golf course of their retirement home in Harbor Springs, Michigan. She enjoyed crafting, crewel, cooking and baking, golfing, hiking, bicycle riding (She won a bike race at the age of 70!) playing bridge and “mall waking”. She along with her husband Roy, were loyal Michigan and Detroit sports fans, until they moved to the East Coast to be closer to children settling in Nashua, NH. In time, Julia converted to being a New England Sports fan, in particular of the Red Sox and David “Big Pappi” Ortiz who was her favorite ballplayer. Julia was a faithful member of the Grace Lutheran Church in Nashua, NH for many years.

She lived with her husband Roy, in various states including Michigan, South Carolina and New Hampshire. After her husband’s death in 2014, she resided at the Arbors in Greenfield, prior to entering the nursing facility in February of this year due to failing health. She was blessed to have enjoyed a long, active and full life.

Julia is remembered with love and affection by her devoted children: Sons: Paul A. Kuczwara and his wife Cindy, of Newton, NH; Raymond E. Kuczwara and his wife Mary, of Marquette, MI and her daughter Millie Postema and her husband Derek of Erving, MA. Additionally, she leaves her loving grandchildren: Garrett Postema and is wife Michelle; Julia Postema-O’Donnell and her husband Andy; Andrea Kuczwara, Russell Kuczwara, Daniel Postema and Sarah Kuczwara, as well as her great grandchildren Eliana and Levi.

She was predeceased by her brother Theodore Strom of Cape Girardeau, MO.

Funeral services in celebration of Julia’s life will be observed on Friday, November 24, 2017 at the North Leverett Baptist Church, 70 North Leverett Road, Leverett, MA at 10:00AM officiated by Pastor Mark Brussel. A reception will follow in the fellowship hall of the church immediately following the conclusion of the services. Rites of committal and burial will take place in the Massachusetts Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, 111 Glenallen Street, Winchendon, MA at 2:00PM in the cemetery chapel. Julia will be laid to rest with her beloved husband Roy, who served in our armed forces during the Korean Conflict as a member of the United States Army.

Expressions of affection in the form of a charitable contribution in Julia’s memory, are suggested in lieu of flowers to either the Grace Lutheran Church, 130 Spit Brook Road, Nashua, NH 03062 or to the North Leverett Baptist Church, Attn: Mark Williams-Treasurer, 70 North Leverett Road, Leverett, MA 01054. The McCarthy Funeral Homes of Greenfield and Turners Falls, MA, have been entrusted with the arrangements. Guest book and condolence message available at www.mccarthyfuneralhomes.com