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Cecelia “Ceil” Kaluza, 63, of Madison, loving wife, mother, and entrepreneur, passed away peacefully on April 5 surrounded by her family and friends. Born the ninth of twelve children in Adams, Massachusetts, on April 20, 1953, to the late Stella and Stanley Gwozdz, Cecelia leaves behind her loving husband Peter, her devoted son Simon, special niece Alexa Fiszer of Madison, as well as a large and loving family. Despite the insurmountable challenges ALS forced upon her, Ceil never lost her radiant optimism, smile, or faith in God.

A graduate of St. Joseph High School, North Adams, Massachusetts, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Cecelia met her husband Peter in Krakow, Poland, and married him on May 9, 1975, while finishing her masters in linguistics at the Jagiellonian University. Cecelia moved to Madison and founded GTA Tours in 1989 to share her passion for spiritual travel. Her company continues to design, manage, and operate transformative pilgrimages.

Cecelia seized each day and moment of her life with such effortless grace and beauty that it consistently brightened the lives of those around her. Her unrivaled faith and passion for travel and adventure powered her daily life and enriched the lives of those she touched. Whether she was kayaking at the Surf Club, traveling the world, or spending late hours in her office handcrafting the essential details of the pilgrimages she coordinated, Ceil loved what she did and did what she loved.

In addition to her immediate family, Cecelia leaves behind three sisters, Rosalie Rogers of Hull, Massachusetts, Helen Miller and Fred of Lebanon, New Jersey, and Mary Gwozdz of Largo, Florida; sister-in-law Magda Fiszer of Madison; five brothers, Peter Gwozdz and Barbara of Cupertino, California, Paul Gwozdz and Mary Ellen of Troy, New York, Casey Gwozdz of St. Petersburg, Florida, Ted Gwozdz of Adams, Massachusetts, and Matt Gwozdz and Mary of Amsterdam, New York; and brother-in-law John Naan of Treasure Island, Florida. Cecelia also leaves many, many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She was predeceased by her parents Stanley and Stella Gwozdz; two sisters, Frances Naan and Jane Lull; and her brother Mark Gwozdz.

Family and friends visited the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church St., Guilford, on April 11. A funeral service of thanksgiving and joy for the gift of her life was held April 12 at the St. George’s Catholic Church, 33 Whitfield St., Guilford. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in memory of Cecelia to ALS Therapy Development Institute, 300 Technology Sq., Ste. 400, Cambridge, MA 02139, www.als.net/donate. To share a memory or leave a message of condolence for the family, visit www.GuilfordFuneralHome.com.