Grace E. Maciolek

Yesterday, August 27, 2025, our beautiful, brave sister, Grace Ellen Maciolek, got her wings and was welcomed into Heaven, where Mom, Dad, (Florence and Michael Manning), and brothers Tommy and Eddie, along with her husband, Joseph Maciolek were waiting to embrace her from her suffering. Grace was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She wanted to live and spend as much time with family and some friends as much as possible. She even underwent chemotherapy, hoping to find more time. Grace was a very humble person; never complaining. She always said “Thank You” for everything we helped her with. But her time to leave us, came too soon, and she is now at peace. She truly was our “Amazing Grace”.

Grace graduated from Cathedral High School and then Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Springfield, having spent most of her nursing career as an ER Registered Nurse at Wing Memorial Hospital over a span of 40 years. Over the years, she met people who remembered her and thanked her for helping them in the ER. Grace was an inspiration to her sister Anne who became an RN. Together they were the contacts for helping to “manage” family medical concerns.

Grace married Joseph Maciolek and they enjoyed many trips to Atlantic City and Las Vegas, playing the slot machines. Once MGM opened, she was able to go with family monthly to have some fun and lunch. Grace and Joe hosted many family parties at their home in Wilbraham, MA. When she was no longer able to keep up the responsibilities of her home, she moved to Paradise Creek Condos in Ludlow. Although she missed seeing and visiting close Wilbraham neighbors, especially “ little” Maddie, (whom she loved and took care of after school hours), and her beautiful gardens, this was a move that would keep Grace safe and independent. It was unfortunate that it was during covid and difficult to meet other residents. But over the years, she was able to meet monthly with residents over lunch. She loved going to the Big Y where she met old friends and doctors whom she worked with at the hospital. Grace was a long time communicant of St. Cecilia Church in Wilbraham. She missed her favorite priest, Father Sorrano, who retired.

Grace’s “beautiful spirit” will live inside our hearts as we, her siblings, grieve our loss: Dorothea Moynahan of Bondsville, MA, Anne and Kurt Lessenger of Columbia, CT, Pauline and Jim Baab of Royalston, MA, Peter and Lynne Manning of West Suffield, MA, along with many nieces and nephews, especially Kenny Manning of Springfield, MA.

We want to thank the nursing staff at Baystate Oncology Unit, the Baystate Visiting Nurse staff, especially Amy and Kristen of Baystate Hospice. They were kind to Grace and very supportive of family members. We thank Bette, neighbor, who was kind and caring to Grace. We thank Brian LaLiberte, MD, who came to visit Grace recently. She was so grateful that he gave such good care to her husband when he was ill.

It is said: a hundred years from now, no one will care how clean our kitchens were or if the laundry got folded. What will matter then is what has always mattered most…the love that filled our homes, the family and friends who filled our lives.

Visitation will be held on Friday, September 12th from 3pm to 7pm at Wilbraham Funeral Home, 2551 Boston Rd., Wilbraham. Family and friends may meet for Grace’s Mass of Christian burial on Saturday, September 13th at 10am at St. Cecilia Church, 42 Main St., Wilbraham. A private burial will take place at the convenience of the family.