Irene L. (Maks) Stachecki of Southampton died in her sleep on February 23, after a long illness. She was 92.
Born in Riverhead, December 9, 1923, Ms. Stachecki sold movie tickets and worked as a telephone operator in her youth to help her family. Married to Floryan Stachecki at age 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, Ms. Stachecki 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. Her 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. She and her husband attended every possible game, concert, recital, and graduation they could. After retiring to Florida, they kept clippings of all of their grandchildren’s activities.
An avid gardener, Ms. Stachecki 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. She and her husband 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.
Ms. Stachecki’s friends recall her as loving and loyal, with an understanding heart. Her smile and bright blue eyes were captivating. A lifelong friend remembered her 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, she is remembered for her devotion to her family, her friends and her faith.
Predeceased by her husband of 64 years, Floryan Stachecki; and two brothers, Frank and Valentine Maks, she is survived by three sons, Peter of Northport, Charles of Southampton and Richard of New Hampshire; and one daughter, Linda Sendlenski of Southampton. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the O’Connell Funeral Home in Southampton. A funeral Mass was held at Our Lady of Poland Church in Southampton, followed by burial at St. Isidore’s Cemetery in Riverhead.
Memorial donations may be made to the Dominican Sisters of Hope, 299 North Highland Avenue, Ossining, NY 10562-2327; Our Lady of Poland Church, 35 Maple Street, Southampton, NY 11968; or any veterans organization.
on Feb 29, 2016