Christine E. Spirka

MILLBURY: Christine E. (Szymonski) Spirka, 59, of 6 Hawthorne St. and also Pascoag, RI, died Sunday, October 16, 2005, in St. Vincent Hospital at Worcester Medical Center, after becoming ill at home. She leaves her husband of 35 years, John F. Spirka; a daughter, Monika M. Peel and her husband Simon of Hastings, England; a sister, Irene M. Szymanski of Millbury; an aunt, Wladyslawa Jedrzewski of Gdansk, Poland; five cousins and several nieces and nephews. She was born in Ulm, Germany, daughter of the late Bronislaw and Monika (Kurilla) Szymonski. She moved to Worcester in 1952 and graduated from St. Mary's High School. She lived in Worcester until moving to Pascoag in 1970. Christine worked at Rex Monuments for the last 10 years. She also worked part-time for Hallmark at the Big Y Supermarkets in Worcester and in Holden. She previously worked at Person Monuments for 25 years. She was a member of St. Joseph's Church in Pascoag and a former member of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Worcester. She was an avid reader and enjoyed animals. She also volunteered her time at animal shelters. There are no calling hours. After cremation, a Memorial Mass will be held at a later date, followed by burial of ashes in Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester. The family suggests donations in Christine's memory be made to the Worcester Animal Rescue League, 139 Holden St. , Worcester, MA 01606. KELLY FUNERAL HOME, 154 Lincoln St. , is assisting the family with arrangements. www. kellyfuneralhome. com