Josephine T. Prostak (nee Kolesnik), 99, died peacefully Sunday, September 6, 2015 surrounded by her family in their St. Louis, MO home. Per her wishes, she was cremated and a celebration of her life is being planned for a later date in Worcester, MA. Donations may be made to the SSM Hospice Foundation.

She leaves her daughter, Elaine Prostak Berland, Ph.D. and son-in-law, Dr. David Berland of St. Louis; daughter-in-law, Lisa Resmini Prostak of Randolph, MA; her five adored grandchildren, Katharine and Rachel Berland and Daniel, Elizabeth and Sarah Prostak, and many wonderful relatives, neighbors, and other “young” friends. She was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, the late Stanley J. Prostak and her son, the late Kenneth S. Prostak, Ph.D.

Daughter of the late Dominic and Josephine (Makusz) Kolesnik, Josephine was born and lived in Worcester, MA until she moved to St. Louis in 2011. She was graduated from St. Mary’s School and Classical High School. As a young woman during the Depression and World War II, she worked many different jobs including clerk, timekeeper and writer for company newsletters at the Worcester Public Library; U.S. Rubber Company, which produced boats and suits for the government war effort, and later at the Massachusetts Protective Insurance Association.

Josephine valued education and learning. She was an avid reader, particularly of biographies. She had a deep interest in learning the history and culture of everyone she met as well as her own Polish heritage. She served as the Program Chairwoman and Public Relations Coordinator of the Polish Woman’s Club, and the Recording Secretary and Vice-President of the Polish American Veterans of World War II Auxiliary. She was a life-long member of Our Lady of Czestochowa Church and sang with the St. Cecilia’s Choir. She was active in the Worcester Ethnic Society which organized inter-ethic group cultural exchanges; she was so delighted to enroll in one of the first courses on ethnic groups and inclusion — and her first college course for credit –at Worcester State College in the 1980s.

Josephine lived her 99 years fully, strong of mind, body and spirit throughout her life. She will be remembered and missed.