Obituary: Cecelia “Ceil” Kaluza, 63, of Madison

Information via Guilford Funeral Home

Cecelia “Ceil” Kaluza of Madison, loving wife, mother and entrepreneur passed away peacefully on April 5th, 2017 surrounded by her family and friends. Born 9 of 12 children in Adams, Massachusetts on April 20th, 1953 to the late Stella and Stanley Gwozdz, Cecelia leaves behind her loving husband Peter, her devoted son Simon, special niece Alexa Fiszer of Madison, as well as a large and loving family.

Despite the insurmountable challenges ALS forced upon her, Ceil never lost her radiant optimism, smile, or faith in God. Graduate of St Joseph High School, North Adams MA, University of MA Amherst, Cecelia met her husband Peter in Krakow Poland and married him on May 9th 1975 while finishing her Masters in Linguistics at the Jagiellonian University.

Cecelia moved to Madison CT and founded GTA Tours in 1989 to share her passion for spiritual travel. Her company continues to design, manage and operate transformative pilgrimages. Cecelia seized each day and moment of her life with such effortless grace and beauty that it consistently stunned and brightened the lives of those around her. Her unrivaled faith and passion for travel and adventure powered her daily life and enriched the lives of those she touched.

Whether she was kayaking at the Surf Club, travelling the world, or spending late hours in her office handcrafting the essential details of the pilgrimages she coordinated, Ceil loved what she did and did what she loved.

In addition to her immediate family, Cecelia leaves behind 3 sisters, Rosalie Rogers of Hull MA, Helen Miller & Fred of Lebanon NJ, Mary Gwozdz of Largo FL and sister-in law Magda Fiszer of Madison CT; 5 brothers Peter Gwozdz & Barbara of Cupertino CA, Paul Gwozdz & Mary Ellen of Troy NY , Casey Gwozdz of St Petersburg FL, Ted Gwozdz of Adams, MA, Matt Gwozdz & Mary of Amsterdam NY and brother-in law John Naan of Treasure Island FL. Cecelia also leaves many many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.She was predeceased by her parents Stanley & Stella Gwozdz, 2 sisters Frances Naan and Jane Lull and her brother Mark Gwozdz.

Family and friends may visit the Guilford Funeral Home 115 Church St, Guilford on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 from 4pm-7pm. Funeral service of thanksgiving and joy for her the gift of her life will be held Wednesday, April 12th at 10am at the St. George’s Catholic Church 33 Whitfield St, Guilford, CT. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in memory of Cecelia to the following organizations:ALS Therapy Development Institute, 300 Technology Square, Suite 400, Cambridge, MA 02139, www.als.net/donate.