Lucille “Lu” Czajkowski (Curley) was born on Oct. 20, 1931 in Rome, N.Y., youngest of Stella Pietruch and Ambrose Czajkowski’s nine children. She passed away Nov. 19, 2022. She was a graduate of Rome Free Academy, Crouse Irving Hospital School of Nursing, and attended Syracuse University. She retired from Community General Hospital in 1997 following a rewarding career as a certified gerontology nurse.

In retirement she remained very active, displaying her sense of adventure and zest for life by partaking in activities that made her feel young such as kayaking and traveling the world. Lu loved games, in particular Jeopardy. 

Lu was a lifelong knitter and very involved with the prayer shawl ministry of St. Augustine’s Church. Lu was known for many things; her proud Polish heritage, sparkling blue eyes, infectious laugh, competitive spirit and love of reading, but above all she was known to be an inspiration to those around her including her family, friends, clubs, church, and volunteer organizations. In short, Lu lived as she drove, fast and furious.

Lu is blessed to be survived by her five children and their spouses; Thomas (Elizabeth) Curley, Mary (Vinny Claps) Halsey-Claps, Brian (Ruth) Curley, Maureen (Mark) Lombardi, and Julie Schlecht; 11 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; her beloved sisters-in-law; BFF Mary Beth; and her faithful furry companions Bert and Stanley.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Lu’s memory to the charity or your choice.