Elzbieta K. (Kazmierczak) Welz

Ella Welz, born Elzbieta Genowefa Kazmierczak, on April 11, 1952, passed unexpectedly on November 15, 2021.

Beloved wife of 48 years to Dr. Valdemar Welz, Devoted mother to Veronika (Nika), Maximilian (Max) and Antonina (Tosia) Welz. Loving dog-owner of Lyla and Luna. Cherished sister of Walter (Wladziu) Kazmierczak, and his wife Stephanie. Dearest cioca (aunt) to Luke and Lara Kazmierczak. A deeply loved cousin of Kamila Kazmierczak, her husband Marcin, and of the late Lila (Dasko) Pronczuk, her husband Andzej and their children Danuta, Monika, and Michal. The daughter of the deceased Marian and Helena (Tuga) Kazmierczak. 

A life long “Bostonian”, Ella graduated valedictorian at Girls Latin School in 1970 and received her undergraduate degree cum laude from Harvard-Radcliffe in 1974, Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from Northeastern University Law School in 1977 and LLM in Taxation from Boston University Law School. She retired as Assistant Vice President and Senior Counsel from John Hancock Financial Services after 26 years. She pursued many business opportunities following her retirement. Her professional career spanned more than 50 years.

Ella’s service to her faith, family, friends, and community was profound. She was a devout Catholic and a parishioner at Our Lady of Czestochowa Church in Boston, and St. Agatha’s and St. Elizabeth’s churches in Milton. Her devotion to her family was unparalleled and she cared lovingly for her husband and children. Ella and her husband Valdemar adopted their three children from Russia and they became the center of her world. Being a mother was very important to Ella and she enthusiastically dedicated herself to them. 

Ella began Polish folk dancing as a preteen and became a dancer with the dance troupe Krakowiak USA performing nationally and internationally. In 1969, Ella met her husband, Valdemar while performing in Poland. Ella always remembered her Polish roots—throughout her life she remained very active in local and international Polish communities. Ella was deeply involved in cultural and political issues of Poland: throughout the 80’s she was a very active supporter of the Polish Solidarity movement; in 1981 she established and was President of the Polish Relief Fund, whose mission was to provide vital support to the citizens of Poland in the fight for freedom and democracy. In 1998 Ella helped form the Polish Relief Fund’s successor: the Polish Cultural Foundation (PCF), and served as the PCF’s initial President, and then as a PCF Board Member until her passing. As a result of her invaluable contributions to Poland, she received the award of “Amicus Poloniae” from Poland’s Ambassador to the USA.

Ella was also an active Milton community member having served as a Milton Town Meeting Member for several years. She campaigned for many issues including town conservation and preservation concerns. 

Always eagerly ready to help and serve those in need, Ella will be sorely missed by her family, friends, and communities. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Funeral mass at Our Lady of Częstochowa in Boston on Tuesday November 30th at 10:00 A.M.  Burial in Milton Cemetery following funeral mass. Visiting hours will be at the Alfred D. Thomas Funeral Home 326 Granite Ave., Milton, Monday November 29th from 4-8 P.M.  

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