OXFORD___Sophie (Burzynska) Kozaczka, of Oxford, died peacefully on December 18, 2022 from
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) at the age of 68. She was blessed to be at home
surrounded by her loved ones at the time she passed. She was born in Zbojna, Poland
on June 25, 1954, one of three children, born to Boleslaw and Jadwiga Burzynski.
Sophie, her parents and her 2 siblings, Halina and Michael, immigrated to America on
July 4th, 1962, settling in Worcester, Ma, with only a large wicker basket to hold all of
their possessions. They came by way of the Batory ship, arriving first in Canada and
then by train to Worcester Union Station. Sophie attended Saint Mary’s High School
where she played basketball. She often bragged about scoring 2 points in a
championship game. After high school she became a hairdresser. In her forties, Sophie
became a real estate agent and a licensed contractor, where she found her passion.
Affectionately known by her grandchildren as “Babcia,” she prioritized her family first.
She enjoyed spending time with her 7 children and 12 grandchildren, gardening, talking
real estate, visiting the ocean in Rhode Island, singing Sto Lat very loudly, traveling,
watching Jeopardy and volunteering at many organizations. She will be remembered for
her strength, resilience, determination and dedication to her family; her numerous
volunteering services, her devout Catholicism and her real estate ventures.
Sophie always made time for everyone and always provided support and love for her
family. She worked tirelessly to provide opportunities for her children. She would proudly
boast about all seven of her children’s accomplishments. Her grandchildren will have
fond memories of her singing Polish songs, bringing them candy or cookies, taking them
on trips, picking mushrooms, making nalesniki and attending every family function.
Sophie was predeceased by her son, Joshua Kozaczka; her father, Boleslaw Burzynski;
and her mother, Jadwiga Burzynska. Sophie leaves behind her large, loving Polish
family, her children, Lisa (Kozaczka) Hicks and her husband, Jason of Holden, Anna
Kozaczka of Natick, Michelle (Kozaczka) Kelly and her husband, Marty of Sutton, Chris
Kozaczka and his wife, Jill of Sutton, Jessica (Kozaczka) Britnell of Sutton, Sarah
(Kozaczka) Kucala and her husband Lukasz of Natick, her long-term and loyal partner,
Timothy Leahy of Oxford, her sister, Halina (Burzynska) Magerowski of Worcester, her
brother, Michael Burzynski and his wife, Lisa of Somers, Connecticut; her former
husband and friend, Stanley Kozaczka, 12 grandchildren: Andrew, Julia, William, Grace,
Mason, Charlie, Levi, Maya, Lucas, Lola, Jacob and Sofia and many nieces and
nephews.
The Funeral Mass will be on Friday, December 23rd at 10:00 AM at Saint John’s Church, 40
Temple Street, Worcester. Burial will follow in Notre Dame Cemetery. Calling hours will
be held on Thursday, December 22nd at Henry-Dirsa Funeral Home, 33 Ward Street,
Worcester from 5:00-8:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Sophie’s memory
to St. John’s Food for the Poor Program, 20 Temple Street, Worcester, MA 01604 or
stjohnsfoodforthepoor.org.