Obituary of Lee Ann Chmiel

Lee Ann (Polizzotti) Chmiel, 72, of Peabody, died Friday evening at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers, following a brief illness. She was the devoted wife of the late Philip J. Chmiel, with whom she had shared 37 years of marriage. Born in Salem, she was the daughter of the late Leo and Emelia (Sowinski) Polizzotti. She had lived most of her life in Peabody and Salem and was a graduate of Peabody High School, class of 1966. After high school, Lee Ann attended Secretarial School and upon completion of her schooling worked for GTE Sylvania as a supervisor in the data entry department and then moved on to the billing department. After her marriage to her husband Philip, she worked as a secretary for the Pioneer Garage Co., Inc. in Peabody until their retirement in 2008. Lee Ann enjoyed traveling with Philip and among their favorite places to visit was Nantucket Island. She was always a family-oriented person who lived for her loved ones, enjoyed spending time with them, and sharing in all their endeavors. Lee Ann was a beautiful soul who always wanted to be a teacher. She loved volunteering at her daughter’s elementary school as a “room mom” and working on the PTO. Later when her own daughter became a teacher, she was a frequent visitor and could be seen helping out in the classroom. Lee Ann is survived by her daughter, Emily Ann Chmiel of Peabody, her brothers, Robert and his wife Adele Polizzotti of Groveland and John Polizzotti and his companion Eleanor Hartigan of Danvers, her sister-in-law. Patricia Dombrowski of Peabody, her niece and nephew, Catie and Robert Polizzotti, Jr and by her life-long friend, Donna, and her husband John Dolliver of Danvers. A private funeral service was held on Tuesday at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the Kaplan Family Hospice House, 78 Liberty St, Danvers, MA 01923.