Maria Palach

Maria Palach, 86, of West Hartford, passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, April 14, 2025.

Maria was born in Bialka, Tatrzanska, Poland on July 19, 1938 to the late Andrzej and Aniela (Klikuszowian) Budz. She immigrated to the United States in 1984.

Maria was a faithful parishioner at SS. Cyril & Methodius Roman Catholic Church in Hartford.

Throughout life, Maria found profound joy and peace in traveling to sacred places around the world. These pilgrimages weren’t just journeys—they were expressions of deep faith and reflection, woven with wonder and reverence.

Maria had a gift for knitting—crafting intricate pieces that now remain as precious tokens of her presence. Each knit, each thread, carried a piece of her.

She was devoted to family. Her greatest joy came from time spent with her grandchildren, whose laughter lit up her world. Whether sharing stories, cooking cherished recipes, or simply sitting together in comfortable silence, she nurtured love with every moment.

Maria was predeceased by her first husband, Jan Budz and second husband, Josef Palach and her brother, Andrzej Klikuszowian. She is survived by two sons, Andrzej Budz and his wife Teresa of Southington and Ryszard Budz of West Hartford, six grandchildren, Bogdan Budz (Jolanta) of Avon, Danuta Veillette (Gregory) of Ridgefield, Marcin Budz (Aleksandra) of West Hartford, Andrzej Budz (Keara) of Beverly, MA, Lukasz Budz (Vivian) of Phoenix, AZ and Magdalena Budz of Newington and eight great-grandchildren, Emily, Michelle, Dylan, Jacob, Henry, Francesca, Anthony and Kaya.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Maria’s memory may be made to SS. Cyril & Methodius Roman Catholic Church (https://www.sscyrilmethodiushartford.org/en/)

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at the SS. Cyril & Methodius Roman Catholic Church, 63 Popieluszko Ct., Hartford, CT. Please meet directly at church. Burial will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery, New Britain. Calling hours will be held from 5 – 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at the Plantsville Funeral Home, 975 S. Main St., Plantsville. For online condolences and directions, please visit www.plantsvillefuneralhome.com.