Celena Styczynski, who was welcomed into this world on March 15, 1970 in San Jose, California by loving (and excited) parents Jerry (Gerald) and Jane (nee Schutte) Styczynski, passed away on Monday, February 10, 2020, forever leaving a hole in her family’s collective heart and soul.
In addition to being the beloved daughter of Jerry and Jane, Celena was the devoted sister of Cristina (Sean) Kulczycki and treasured Aunt of Alex Kulczycki (whom she loved to spoil with frequent cards). Celena was also the dear niece of many aunts and uncles, cousin of cousins almost too numerous to count, friend to many, and kind to everyone.
From an early age, Celena showed a keen wit, seemingly able to memorize any song or book. Before car seats were mandatory for all children, Celena loved to stand in the front seat of the car at quite a young age and sing “Take Me Home, Country Roads” with her mother at the wheel. She enjoyed many visits to her Grandma and Grandpa’s farm. Although never a true farm girl (we can now say that SHE was the one who let the cows out that one time), she dearly loved Pumpkin, the kitten given to her by her grandparents (and many cats thereafter).
Celena excelled at school, at least the subjects she felt were interesting. She learned to play the piano and trombone, held her own on more than a few softball teams, and very much enjoyed being in school plays. Celena was known for being very fashion forward in high school and making her friends laugh. Said one of her high school friends, “Celena made me laugh like few others ever could!”
After high school, some college, and an adventure in Virginia, Celena joined the U.S. Navy, having many adventures there as well (including “all-expense paid trips” to Florida and Iceland). After leaving the Navy, Celena worked her way through nursing school at Barnes Jewish School of Nursing (living in a dorm room the size of a small closet for two years, on the campus of Barnes Hospital in St. Louis). For the past several years, Celena proudly worked as a Registered Nurse at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis where her goal to serve patients sweetly and with a smile.
Celena enjoyed the simple things in life. A walk outside, Family Feud (the one on TV, not actual Family Feuds), cooking shows, puzzles, reading, and building her wardrobe (cute socks being a particular focus). She was generous with what she had and never wanted to be a bother to anyone.
If you want to honor Celena’s life try to greet others with a smile, even when it might be difficult for you to do so, show appreciation to those people whose job it is to take care of others, take that trip you’ve been dreaming of taking, learn the lyrics to Journey’s Greatest Hits (one of Celena’s favorite bands), be good to your family, and please Be Good to Yourself.
Visitation at Kutis Affton Chapel 10151 Gravois Rd. 63123 on Sunday, February 16th from 2-5 pm. Memories of Celena will be shared at 3:30 PM. Private interment at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Shrine of St. Patrick Cemetery Fund PO Box 11, St. Patrick, MO. 63466.
Miss you my dear sister, now and forever.