Antonia Clara (Dobush) Piasecki

Antonia Clara (Dobush) Piasecki, 99, of Columbia, CT passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 7, 2017.  She was born in Willimantic, CT on August 5, 1917, daughter and eldest child of the late Dymatro and Mary (Rasiecki) Dobush. 

Antonia graduated from Windham High School in 1936. In her youth, she moved to California where she resided and worked for several years. While in California she married the love of her life Bolish W. Piasecki on June 29, 1950. Shortly thereafter they returned to Connecticut living in Moosup, Danielson, Willimantic and then Columbia Lake. Their family grew with the arrival of two sons along the way.  Bo and Toni were blessed with a loving marriage and lived life to the fullest, traveling extensively throughout the U.S.A. Antonia was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who loved her family dearly. ‘Grammy Toni’ was especially close to her grandson who was a tremendous help with daycare in his first few years as an infant and she was fascinated to watch him grow into a young man. She was a friend to many, a devout Catholic, a passionate homemaker, a member of the Columbia Homemakers Society, a baker extraordinaire, she enjoyed educational experiences and read related topics, was an avid bird-watcher, and could speak and write fluently in Polish. Antonia was from European descent (Austria father and Poland/Ukraine mother). While residing in California, Toni met and was privileged to be selected as a model for one of the original paintings by Norman Rockwell entitled, Roadblock, 1949. In later years, she received a prestigious dinner invitation to the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge Massachusetts that reunited models depicted in the famous story telling illustrations of Mr. Rockwell to talk about sitting for the artist.

Antonia is survived by her two sons, Leland Christopher Piasecki of Columbia, Philip John Piasecki and his wife Vicki Lynn of Mansfield, and her precious grandson, Tyler Cameron Piasecki, also of Mansfield.

Antonia also leaves her sister, Janet Dobush of Columbia and brother, John Dobush of Harwinton, her sister-in-law Ruth Dobush of Columbia, her godson Dennis Hanczer of Lebanon, along with several nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

Antonia was predeceased in 1990 by her beloved husband Bolish W. Piasecki of 40 years.  She was also predeceased by her brothers, Stanley Dobush, Walt Dobush, and Henry Dobush, sisters-in-law Casimire Dobush, Peg Dobush and Pat Dobush, and niece Anne Marie (Dobush) Chaplin. 

Antonia was a communicant of Saint Columba Catholic Church in Columbia.

Antonia embraced her long fulfilling life and was always generous and kind. She will be missed dearly and loving memories will always remain in our hearts.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 17, 2017 at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson Street (Rte. 195) Willimantic.  A Graveside Service will follow at 11:30 a.m. at the New Willimantic Cemetery, Route 32.

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