Genevieve Ziemian

Genevieve Ziemian of Ludlow, Massachusetts, died peacefully on April 29, 2020 of natural causes at Orchard Valley Senior Living Community in Wilbraham, MA at the age of 101 years and 10 months. Born during the Spanish influenza pandemic of 1918, she grew up in Boston during the Great Depression and in 1941, 22 days after Pearl Harbor was bombed, she married Dr. Stefan Stanley Ziemian from Indian Orchard, MA, who thereafter enlisted in the Army and served as a dentist throughout WWII. When the war ended, the two settled at 768 East Street in Ludlow, MA.

Dentistry played an important role in Genevieve's life; she was an officer and active member of the Yankee Ladies Auxiliary to the National Dental Association for many years where she and other devotees championed the importance of dental care for children and supported numerous fundraising activities to bring it to our nation's forefront.

Genevieve had a sharp mind and a great aesthetic sense. She encouraged others to pursue knowledge about plants and flowers and the arts. She was an avid gardener and a talented award-winning artist as well. She painted with oils and watercolors often capturing the beauty of a fresh bloom, an entire garden of flowers or simply a row of ducklings out for a walk with their mother. Mountains, sea shores and other natural scenes often caught the attention of her brushes. She also shaped, painted, and beautifully dressed porcelain dolls and antique vintage style porcelain Christmas Santas which she gave as gifts and often donated for raffles to raise funds for the societies and clubs she supported. In her eighties, she designed an art course for the elderly in the Palmer area and taught her students how to draw and paint as well as how to make the most of visits to art galleries which they toured throughout Massachusetts. In 2007 her watercolor of the Massachusetts State House in the winter won an award and was selected by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, William F. Galvin, to appear on its annual Christmas Card.

Genevieve had a passion for fashion. For many years she not only sewed beautiful clothing for her family and friends, she also taught sewing for the Girls Club of America in the Ludlow, area.

An active member of the Polish community, Genevieve participated in a Polish dance group as a young girl and later became an active member of the Kosciusko Foundation in Western MA and New York City that focuses on teaching and celebrating Polish culture and history. Her husband, Stefan, was a trustee of the Kosciusko Foundation and the Pope John Paul II Foundation so Genevieve worked tirelessly to enhance their success.

Genevieve excelled at culinary arts as well. She shared its fruits with family, friends, and neighbors especially during the holiday seasons. She taught others how to prepare a tray of pierogi, a kettle of borsch or kapusta, a pan of golabki (cabbage rolls), an Easter babka, an apple pie, or a poppy seed roll and how to dress and decorate a festive table. Her exceptional ability to prepare a tasty dish or treat often attracted neighbors and friends to drop in at will and keep company. 

Genevieve was predeceased by her husband Stefan who died in 1991 and her sisters: Janina Wotkun, Major Josephine Betley and Loretta Arsenault as well as her brother, Colonel Walter Betley, who passed away this year at 98 years old of natural causes in Columbus, Ohio. She is survived by her children: Stefan Ziemian (his late wife Anna Marie Falcinelli) of Phillipsburg, NJ; Retired District Court Judge Robert Ziemian (and his wife Carol Jazab Ziemian) of Westwood, MA and Betsy Ziemian Gadaire (and her husband the late Dr. Eugene Gadaire) of McLean, VA; as well as four grandchildren: Leigh Todd of New Fairfield, CT; Steven Ziemian of Viera, Florida; Robert Ziemian, Esq. of Littleton, CO, and Jessica Ziemian Wragg, Esq. of Middlebury, CT and twelve great-grandchildren.

The family is planning a Memorial Service at Christ the King Church in Ludlow and a celebration of life gathering after the corona virus restrictions are lifted.