Victoria G. Czaja

She was born in Manchester on November 22, 1919 to John and Anelia (Kula) Gruszewski. She was a lifelong resident of Manchester.

She graduated with honors from Central High School in 1938 where she was a contributing writer to the school magazine, Aglaia. She also participated in several of the school's operettas, including the Pirates of Penzance. She attended the 70th class reunion in 2008.

Mrs. Czaja worked as a seamstress at P & M Manufacturing and Mighty Mac both in Manchester. She was an officer of the Amalgamated Clothing Worker's Union Local 359 for 20 years and served as its first New Hampshire president and later as vice president and secretary.

IN HER LIFE: She was the NH representative to the New England Joint Board of the Amalgamated Clothing Worker's Union in Boston, MA for more than 10 years. She later worked with NH Senator John A. Durkin on labor issues affecting working women, and represented the NH Chapter of the ACWU on a national level.

She was a lifelong member of the Holy Trinity Cathedral and was active in its Senior Group, the Marie Konapnecki Society and church fairs.

She was a member of the Manchester Women's Club in retirement.

The family includes two children, Ellen Czaja of Bow and John Czaja of Oxford, OH; three grandsons, Douglas McKinnon, Ian Czaja and Jason Czaja; one granddaughter; four great grandchildren, Kyle McKinnon, Kaitlyn McKinnon, Benjamin Czaja and Nikolai Czaja; three god children, Fran Gorcyca, Fred Czaja and Janice George; and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral was held Friday, April 29, 2011 at Holy Trinity Polish National Cathedral, 166 Pearl St., Manchester. Bishop Thomas Gnat officiated. Committal prayers followed at Holy Trinity Cemetery, Goffstown Road, Goffstown.

Donations may be made to the Holy Trinity Cathedral Cemetery Improvement Fund, 166 Pearl St., Manchester, NH 03104-4326, or to "Concord Hospital Trust" for Eldercare Programs at FHC, 250 Pleasant St., Concord, NH 03301.