Obituary for Jane C. Wilkins (Szarek)
Jane C. (Szarek) Wilkins, age 87, a longtime resident of Dracut, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at Lowell General Hospital, surrounded by her loving family. She was the beloved wife of the late Richard L. Wilkins with whom she enjoyed 22 years of marriage until his passing in 1978.
She was born in Lowell on February 24, 1934 and was a daughter of the late Walter and Cecilia (Cebula) Szarek.
Jane was a 1951 graduate of Lowell High School. She graduated in 1955 from Lowell State Teachers College with a degree in Education. Jane left her brief teaching profession to raise her children. She then worked for many years at Jampa Manufacturing, and ended her career after working 15 years at Hewlett Packard. Always active, Jane had a zest for life. She enjoyed her daily exercises, puzzles, listening to her Polish Polkas and anything Polish! She was known for her very vibrant vocabulary. This was apparent whether she was playing Scrabble, Words with Friends, or when she was losing in cards! Jane played cribbage and 45s at the Senior Centers of Dracut and Lowell, the Dom Polski, and Dracut’s American Legion. An avid sports fan, she could be heard yelling at the t.v. while watching her beloved Patriots and Red Sox. Jane had many, many friends and was loved by all.
Jane is survived by her children, Shirley (James) McGrath, Janet (John) Fitzsimons, Richard “Buddy” Wilkins, Edward Wilkins, Joseph Wilkins, and Barbara (Wilkins) Beaton; grandchildren: Jeffrey (Jennifer) Fitzsimons, Joseph (Kylee) Fitzsimons, Scott (Sara) Fitzsimons, Susan (Jeremy) Lavoie, Meagan (Casey) Loeffler, Katelynn (Ryan) O’Connell, James McGrath, Sarah Beaton, and Madeline Beaton; great-grandchildren: Bella, T.J., Myles, Elena, Barrett, Rylee, Cassel, Bodhi, Sophia, Gemma, and one on the way. She was predeceased by her siblings and their spouses, Francis (Thaddeus) Jusczak, Helen (Steven) Goulas, Sophia (Joseph) Frawley, and Thaddeus Szarek. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Veronica Szarek, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Visiting hours will be held on Saturday, February 26, 2022 from 9 am – 12 pm at the Dracut Funeral Home, 2159 Lakeview Avenue, Dracut. Her funeral service will be held following the visiting hours at 12 noon. Interment to follow in Holy Trinity Polish Cemetery, Lowell. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Dracut Food Pantry, 1934 Lakeview Ave., Dracut, MA 01826.
She was born in Lowell on February 24, 1934 and was a daughter of the late Walter and Cecilia (Cebula) Szarek.
Jane was a 1951 graduate of Lowell High School. She graduated in 1955 from Lowell State Teachers College with a degree in Education. Jane left her brief teaching profession to raise her children. She then worked for many years at Jampa Manufacturing, and ended her career after working 15 years at Hewlett Packard. Always active, Jane had a zest for life. She enjoyed her daily exercises, puzzles, listening to her Polish Polkas and anything Polish! She was known for her very vibrant vocabulary. This was apparent whether she was playing Scrabble, Words with Friends, or when she was losing in cards! Jane played cribbage and 45s at the Senior Centers of Dracut and Lowell, the Dom Polski, and Dracut’s American Legion. An avid sports fan, she could be heard yelling at the t.v. while watching her beloved Patriots and Red Sox. Jane had many, many friends and was loved by all.
Jane is survived by her children, Shirley (James) McGrath, Janet (John) Fitzsimons, Richard “Buddy” Wilkins, Edward Wilkins, Joseph Wilkins, and Barbara (Wilkins) Beaton; grandchildren: Jeffrey (Jennifer) Fitzsimons, Joseph (Kylee) Fitzsimons, Scott (Sara) Fitzsimons, Susan (Jeremy) Lavoie, Meagan (Casey) Loeffler, Katelynn (Ryan) O’Connell, James McGrath, Sarah Beaton, and Madeline Beaton; great-grandchildren: Bella, T.J., Myles, Elena, Barrett, Rylee, Cassel, Bodhi, Sophia, Gemma, and one on the way. She was predeceased by her siblings and their spouses, Francis (Thaddeus) Jusczak, Helen (Steven) Goulas, Sophia (Joseph) Frawley, and Thaddeus Szarek. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Veronica Szarek, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Visiting hours will be held on Saturday, February 26, 2022 from 9 am – 12 pm at the Dracut Funeral Home, 2159 Lakeview Avenue, Dracut. Her funeral service will be held following the visiting hours at 12 noon. Interment to follow in Holy Trinity Polish Cemetery, Lowell. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Dracut Food Pantry, 1934 Lakeview Ave., Dracut, MA 01826.