Genevieve Jane Jara Grancaj, age 96 died peaceful early in the morning of October 15, 2013, with her daughter and her granddaughter at her bedside at Spanish Trail Assisted Living in Silsbee, Texas.
She was born on December 11, 1916 to Anelia Komark Jara and Adalbert Jara, in a humble home near Big Run in New Castle, Pennsylvania.
Genevieve was the youngest of six children born to the young mill worker and seamstress who had emigrated from Poland. Her love for her Polish heritage, the rolling hills of Pennsylvania, and her great devotion to family remained through her entire life time.
Her Catholic faith, the Great Depression, and the World War that followed were the great influences in her life and formed her principles and strong convictions.
Genevieve was a parishioner of historic St. Philip and James Church in New Castle, Pennsylvania, where she attended school, made her First Communion, was confirmed, and later married to the love of her life, Stephen Paul Grancaj in 1942.
A loyal daughter of the church, she became a founding member of Holy Family Parish in Poland, Ohio and helped establish a Catholic community there at a time when prejudice against Catholics was rampant and vocal. Genevieve was a member of the ladies auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus in Poland. As she and her husband traveled the world for his work, they became active parishioners and faithful stewards of parishes in Canada, Mexico and Australia. She died a member of St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica in Beaumont, Texas –a church whose European style architecture reminded her of her first parish in New Castle. Her willingness to work for her church extended into her 90's. Genevieve's last volunteer work was for the Beaumont's Diocese annual appeal as she helped with mailings.
Without the knowledge of her parents and struggling with poverty born of the depression, Genevieve quit high school in 1931 to work as a housekeeper in homes on New Castle's exclusive "North Hill." For the next several years, her meager wages went to save her family's own home on East Long Avenue.
At 18, Genevieve went to work in Shenango Pottery in New Castle first as a glazer then in the payroll division. Her work there instilled in her a love for "beautiful things" and the Haviland China, which she helped produce, became one of her lifelong material treasures.
Following her marriage and after a move to Ohio, Genevieve joined the work force at Plakie Toys in Youngstown. Always a strong advocate for social justice, Genevieve helped organize a union at the factory and later became one of its officers. She remained there until she retired from the work force in 1965 to travel with her husband for his work as a consultant for Wilputte Company.
Within four weeks of her marriage to Steve, her brother, Stanley, married his wife, Vera and she became Genevieve's life-long best friend. The two men were drafted into the army and the two young women lived in the family homestead where they waited for the "boys to come home and the war to end." During that time, Genevieve learned how to change a car tire, save up ration stamps and acted as an air raid warden- all the while not knowing if her brother "would survive the war in Europe and Africa and whether Steve would ever be shipped overseas." Her brother survived the war and Steve never saw foreign soil.
Although Genevieve and Steve had only one daughter, Letitia, their love and parenting extended to their many nieces and nephews. Genevieve's special relationship with them continued through the years as the couples' business travels let them visit with one nephew in New York and another in Kentucky. She considered three of her nephews, John Zbiegien and "Stas" and Ray Yaro, "the sons she never had."
She loved to tell stories about each of them and rejoiced when Stas' daughter gave birth to his sixth grandchild just four weeks ago. Though her eyesight was usually poor, God granted her a special favor as she was able to see clearly baby Katelyn's picture on Facebook. Her two hour phone conversations with John Zbiegien helped her stay connected to home. She treasured cards from her nieces, Loretta Yanuel and the long written messages from Carolyn Tomocheck.
Though she loved all her family dearly, it was her two grandchildren, Stephanie and Thomas, who grabbed her heart and held it from the time she first saw them.
Her perseverance and unbelievable resilience in the face of obstacles echo in Thomas' life. She taught Thomas how to ‘‘cook and bake, pick fruit, play cards and pray as well as good manners and the ability to just sit quietly and enjoy company." The fact that his son, her only great grandchild, Aaron, is attending Catholic school and is an altar server brought her great peace knowing that her strong faith would live on in her family after her death.
Her legacy to her granddaughter, Stephanie, was her deep love for all things beautiful. Like her mother, Genevieve was an excellent seamstress who sewed outfits for both her grandchildren and created every Halloween costume they ever wore. She took great pride in Stephanie's similar ability for fashion design. She also took great interest in her granddaughter's newest line Stevie Saint John and wanted to be one of her "angel backers." Her death interrupted that desire.
She leaves behind her daughter, Letty (Letitia) Lanza and her husband, Tom, of Beaumont, Texas, with whom Genevieve made her home for several years, her granddaughter, Stephanie of Pasadena, California, her grandson, Thomas and his wife, Norma, of Kerrville, Texas, a great grandson, Aaron and numerous nephews, nieces, great-nephews and nieces, as well as, her dear friend and sister-in-law, Vera Vansovich Yaro of Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, and the three "sons of her heart", John Zbiegien, Jr. of New Castle, Pennsylvania, Stan "Stas" Yaro and his wife, Linda, of Venice, Florida and Ray Yaro and his wife, Colleen, of Elwood, Pennsylvania.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Stephen Paul Grancaj. her parents; her brothers, John, Walter, Henry and Stanley, a sister Mildred Zbiegien.
A gathering of Mrs. Grancaj's family and friends will begin at 5pm with a Christian Vigil to follow at 7pm Thursday, October 17, 2013 at Saint Anthony Cathedral Basilica, 700 Jefferson Street, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard's, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont.
A gathering of her family and friends will begin at 10am with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11am Saturday, October 19, 2013 at Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 1 Lucymont Drive, New Castle, Pennsylvania, under the direction of Noga Funeral Home, 1142 South Mill Street, New Castle.
Interment will follow at SS Phillip and James Cemetery, Slippery Rock Township, Pennsylvania.
She was born on December 11, 1916 to Anelia Komark Jara and Adalbert Jara, in a humble home near Big Run in New Castle, Pennsylvania.
Genevieve was the youngest of six children born to the young mill worker and seamstress who had emigrated from Poland. Her love for her Polish heritage, the rolling hills of Pennsylvania, and her great devotion to family remained through her entire life time.
Her Catholic faith, the Great Depression, and the World War that followed were the great influences in her life and formed her principles and strong convictions.
Genevieve was a parishioner of historic St. Philip and James Church in New Castle, Pennsylvania, where she attended school, made her First Communion, was confirmed, and later married to the love of her life, Stephen Paul Grancaj in 1942.
A loyal daughter of the church, she became a founding member of Holy Family Parish in Poland, Ohio and helped establish a Catholic community there at a time when prejudice against Catholics was rampant and vocal. Genevieve was a member of the ladies auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus in Poland. As she and her husband traveled the world for his work, they became active parishioners and faithful stewards of parishes in Canada, Mexico and Australia. She died a member of St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica in Beaumont, Texas –a church whose European style architecture reminded her of her first parish in New Castle. Her willingness to work for her church extended into her 90's. Genevieve's last volunteer work was for the Beaumont's Diocese annual appeal as she helped with mailings.
Without the knowledge of her parents and struggling with poverty born of the depression, Genevieve quit high school in 1931 to work as a housekeeper in homes on New Castle's exclusive "North Hill." For the next several years, her meager wages went to save her family's own home on East Long Avenue.
At 18, Genevieve went to work in Shenango Pottery in New Castle first as a glazer then in the payroll division. Her work there instilled in her a love for "beautiful things" and the Haviland China, which she helped produce, became one of her lifelong material treasures.
Following her marriage and after a move to Ohio, Genevieve joined the work force at Plakie Toys in Youngstown. Always a strong advocate for social justice, Genevieve helped organize a union at the factory and later became one of its officers. She remained there until she retired from the work force in 1965 to travel with her husband for his work as a consultant for Wilputte Company.
Within four weeks of her marriage to Steve, her brother, Stanley, married his wife, Vera and she became Genevieve's life-long best friend. The two men were drafted into the army and the two young women lived in the family homestead where they waited for the "boys to come home and the war to end." During that time, Genevieve learned how to change a car tire, save up ration stamps and acted as an air raid warden- all the while not knowing if her brother "would survive the war in Europe and Africa and whether Steve would ever be shipped overseas." Her brother survived the war and Steve never saw foreign soil.
Although Genevieve and Steve had only one daughter, Letitia, their love and parenting extended to their many nieces and nephews. Genevieve's special relationship with them continued through the years as the couples' business travels let them visit with one nephew in New York and another in Kentucky. She considered three of her nephews, John Zbiegien and "Stas" and Ray Yaro, "the sons she never had."
She loved to tell stories about each of them and rejoiced when Stas' daughter gave birth to his sixth grandchild just four weeks ago. Though her eyesight was usually poor, God granted her a special favor as she was able to see clearly baby Katelyn's picture on Facebook. Her two hour phone conversations with John Zbiegien helped her stay connected to home. She treasured cards from her nieces, Loretta Yanuel and the long written messages from Carolyn Tomocheck.
Though she loved all her family dearly, it was her two grandchildren, Stephanie and Thomas, who grabbed her heart and held it from the time she first saw them.
Her perseverance and unbelievable resilience in the face of obstacles echo in Thomas' life. She taught Thomas how to ‘‘cook and bake, pick fruit, play cards and pray as well as good manners and the ability to just sit quietly and enjoy company." The fact that his son, her only great grandchild, Aaron, is attending Catholic school and is an altar server brought her great peace knowing that her strong faith would live on in her family after her death.
Her legacy to her granddaughter, Stephanie, was her deep love for all things beautiful. Like her mother, Genevieve was an excellent seamstress who sewed outfits for both her grandchildren and created every Halloween costume they ever wore. She took great pride in Stephanie's similar ability for fashion design. She also took great interest in her granddaughter's newest line Stevie Saint John and wanted to be one of her "angel backers." Her death interrupted that desire.
She leaves behind her daughter, Letty (Letitia) Lanza and her husband, Tom, of Beaumont, Texas, with whom Genevieve made her home for several years, her granddaughter, Stephanie of Pasadena, California, her grandson, Thomas and his wife, Norma, of Kerrville, Texas, a great grandson, Aaron and numerous nephews, nieces, great-nephews and nieces, as well as, her dear friend and sister-in-law, Vera Vansovich Yaro of Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, and the three "sons of her heart", John Zbiegien, Jr. of New Castle, Pennsylvania, Stan "Stas" Yaro and his wife, Linda, of Venice, Florida and Ray Yaro and his wife, Colleen, of Elwood, Pennsylvania.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Stephen Paul Grancaj. her parents; her brothers, John, Walter, Henry and Stanley, a sister Mildred Zbiegien.
A gathering of Mrs. Grancaj's family and friends will begin at 5pm with a Christian Vigil to follow at 7pm Thursday, October 17, 2013 at Saint Anthony Cathedral Basilica, 700 Jefferson Street, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard's, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont.
A gathering of her family and friends will begin at 10am with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11am Saturday, October 19, 2013 at Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 1 Lucymont Drive, New Castle, Pennsylvania, under the direction of Noga Funeral Home, 1142 South Mill Street, New Castle.
Interment will follow at SS Phillip and James Cemetery, Slippery Rock Township, Pennsylvania.
Genevieve Jane Jara Grancaj, age 96 died peaceful early in the morning of October 15, 2013, with her daughter and her granddaughter at her bedside at Spanish Trail Assisted Living in Silsbee, Texas.
She was born on December 11, 1916 to Anelia Komark Jara and Adalbert Jara, in a humble home near Big Run in New Castle, Pennsylvania.
Genevieve was the youngest of six children born to the young mill worker and seamstress who had emigrated from Poland. Her love for her Polish heritage, the rolling hills of Pennsylvania, and her great devotion to family remained through her entire life time.
Her Catholic faith, the Great Depression, and the World War that followed were the great influences in her life and formed her principles and strong convictions.
Genevieve was a parishioner of historic St. Philip and James Church in New Castle, Pennsylvania, where she attended school, made her First Communion, was confirmed, and later married to the love of her life, Stephen Paul Grancaj in 1942.
A loyal daughter of the church, she became a founding member of Holy Family Parish in Poland, Ohio and helped establish a Catholic community there at a time when prejudice against Catholics was rampant and vocal. Genevieve was a member of the ladies auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus in Poland. As she and her husband traveled the world for his work, they became active parishioners and faithful stewards of parishes in Canada, Mexico and Australia. She died a member of St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica in Beaumont, Texas –a church whose European style architecture reminded her of her first parish in New Castle. Her willingness to work for her church extended into her 90's. Genevieve's last volunteer work was for the Beaumont's Diocese annual appeal as she helped with mailings.
Without the knowledge of her parents and struggling with poverty born of the depression, Genevieve quit high school in 1931 to work as a housekeeper in homes on New Castle's exclusive "North Hill." For the next several years, her meager wages went to save her family's own home on East Long Avenue.
At 18, Genevieve went to work in Shenango Pottery in New Castle first as a glazer then in the payroll division. Her work there instilled in her a love for "beautiful things" and the Haviland China, which she helped produce, became one of her lifelong material treasures.
Following her marriage and after a move to Ohio, Genevieve joined the work force at Plakie Toys in Youngstown. Always a strong advocate for social justice, Genevieve helped organize a union at the factory and later became one of its officers. She remained there until she retired from the work force in 1965 to travel with her husband for his work as a consultant for Wilputte Company.
Within four weeks of her marriage to Steve, her brother, Stanley, married his wife, Vera and she became Genevieve's life-long best friend. The two men were drafted into the army and the two young women lived in the family homestead where they waited for the "boys to come home and the war to end." During that time, Genevieve learned how to change a car tire, save up ration stamps and acted as an air raid warden- all the while not knowing if her brother "would survive the war in Europe and Africa and whether Steve would ever be shipped overseas." Her brother survived the war and Steve never saw foreign soil.
Although Genevieve and Steve had only one daughter, Letitia, their love and parenting extended to their many nieces and nephews. Genevieve's special relationship with them continued through the years as the couples' business travels let them visit with one nephew in New York and another in Kentucky. She considered three of her nephews, John Zbiegien and "Stas" and Ray Yaro, "the sons she never had."
She loved to tell stories about each of them and rejoiced when Stas' daughter gave birth to his sixth grandchild just four weeks ago. Though her eyesight was usually poor, God granted her a special favor as she was able to see clearly baby Katelyn's picture on Facebook. Her two hour phone conversations with John Zbiegien helped her stay connected to home. She treasured cards from her nieces, Loretta Yanuel and the long written messages from Carolyn Tomocheck.
Though she loved all her family dearly, it was her two grandchildren, Stephanie and Thomas, who grabbed her heart and held it from the time she first saw them.
Her perseverance and unbelievable resilience in the face of obstacles echo in Thomas' life. She taught Thomas how to ‘‘cook and bake, pick fruit, play cards and pray as well as good manners and the ability to just sit quietly and enjoy company." The fact that his son, her only great grandchild, Aaron, is attending Catholic school and is an altar server brought her great peace knowing that her strong faith would live on in her family after her death.
Her legacy to her granddaughter, Stephanie, was her deep love for all things beautiful. Like her mother, Genevieve was an excellent seamstress who sewed outfits for both her grandchildren and created every Halloween costume they ever wore. She took great pride in Stephanie's similar ability for fashion design. She also took great interest in her granddaughter's newest line Stevie Saint John and wanted to be one of her "angel backers." Her death interrupted that desire.
She leaves behind her daughter, Letty (Letitia) Lanza and her husband, Tom, of Beaumont, Texas, with whom Genevieve made her home for several years, her granddaughter, Stephanie of Pasadena, California, her grandson, Thomas and his wife, Norma, of Kerrville, Texas, a great grandson, Aaron and numerous nephews, nieces, great-nephews and nieces, as well as, her dear friend and sister-in-law, Vera Vansovich Yaro of Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, and the three "sons of her heart", John Zbiegien, Jr. of New Castle, Pennsylvania, Stan "Stas" Yaro and his wife, Linda, of Venice, Florida and Ray Yaro and his wife, Colleen, of Elwood, Pennsylvania.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Stephen Paul Grancaj. her parents; her brothers, John, Walter, Henry and Stanley, a sister Mildred Zbiegien.
A gathering of Mrs. Grancaj's family and friends will begin at 5pm with a Christian Vigil to follow at 7pm Thursday, October 17, 2013 at Saint Anthony Cathedral Basilica, 700 Jefferson Street, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard's, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont.
A gathering of her family and friends will begin at 10am with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11am Saturday, October 19, 2013 at Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 1 Lucymont Drive, New Castle, Pennsylvania, under the direction of Noga Funeral Home, 1142 South Mill Street, New Castle.
Interment will follow at SS Phillip and James Cemetery, Slippery Rock Township, Pennsylvania.
She was born on December 11, 1916 to Anelia Komark Jara and Adalbert Jara, in a humble home near Big Run in New Castle, Pennsylvania.
Genevieve was the youngest of six children born to the young mill worker and seamstress who had emigrated from Poland. Her love for her Polish heritage, the rolling hills of Pennsylvania, and her great devotion to family remained through her entire life time.
Her Catholic faith, the Great Depression, and the World War that followed were the great influences in her life and formed her principles and strong convictions.
Genevieve was a parishioner of historic St. Philip and James Church in New Castle, Pennsylvania, where she attended school, made her First Communion, was confirmed, and later married to the love of her life, Stephen Paul Grancaj in 1942.
A loyal daughter of the church, she became a founding member of Holy Family Parish in Poland, Ohio and helped establish a Catholic community there at a time when prejudice against Catholics was rampant and vocal. Genevieve was a member of the ladies auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus in Poland. As she and her husband traveled the world for his work, they became active parishioners and faithful stewards of parishes in Canada, Mexico and Australia. She died a member of St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica in Beaumont, Texas –a church whose European style architecture reminded her of her first parish in New Castle. Her willingness to work for her church extended into her 90's. Genevieve's last volunteer work was for the Beaumont's Diocese annual appeal as she helped with mailings.
Without the knowledge of her parents and struggling with poverty born of the depression, Genevieve quit high school in 1931 to work as a housekeeper in homes on New Castle's exclusive "North Hill." For the next several years, her meager wages went to save her family's own home on East Long Avenue.
At 18, Genevieve went to work in Shenango Pottery in New Castle first as a glazer then in the payroll division. Her work there instilled in her a love for "beautiful things" and the Haviland China, which she helped produce, became one of her lifelong material treasures.
Following her marriage and after a move to Ohio, Genevieve joined the work force at Plakie Toys in Youngstown. Always a strong advocate for social justice, Genevieve helped organize a union at the factory and later became one of its officers. She remained there until she retired from the work force in 1965 to travel with her husband for his work as a consultant for Wilputte Company.
Within four weeks of her marriage to Steve, her brother, Stanley, married his wife, Vera and she became Genevieve's life-long best friend. The two men were drafted into the army and the two young women lived in the family homestead where they waited for the "boys to come home and the war to end." During that time, Genevieve learned how to change a car tire, save up ration stamps and acted as an air raid warden- all the while not knowing if her brother "would survive the war in Europe and Africa and whether Steve would ever be shipped overseas." Her brother survived the war and Steve never saw foreign soil.
Although Genevieve and Steve had only one daughter, Letitia, their love and parenting extended to their many nieces and nephews. Genevieve's special relationship with them continued through the years as the couples' business travels let them visit with one nephew in New York and another in Kentucky. She considered three of her nephews, John Zbiegien and "Stas" and Ray Yaro, "the sons she never had."
She loved to tell stories about each of them and rejoiced when Stas' daughter gave birth to his sixth grandchild just four weeks ago. Though her eyesight was usually poor, God granted her a special favor as she was able to see clearly baby Katelyn's picture on Facebook. Her two hour phone conversations with John Zbiegien helped her stay connected to home. She treasured cards from her nieces, Loretta Yanuel and the long written messages from Carolyn Tomocheck.
Though she loved all her family dearly, it was her two grandchildren, Stephanie and Thomas, who grabbed her heart and held it from the time she first saw them.
Her perseverance and unbelievable resilience in the face of obstacles echo in Thomas' life. She taught Thomas how to ‘‘cook and bake, pick fruit, play cards and pray as well as good manners and the ability to just sit quietly and enjoy company." The fact that his son, her only great grandchild, Aaron, is attending Catholic school and is an altar server brought her great peace knowing that her strong faith would live on in her family after her death.
Her legacy to her granddaughter, Stephanie, was her deep love for all things beautiful. Like her mother, Genevieve was an excellent seamstress who sewed outfits for both her grandchildren and created every Halloween costume they ever wore. She took great pride in Stephanie's similar ability for fashion design. She also took great interest in her granddaughter's newest line Stevie Saint John and wanted to be one of her "angel backers." Her death interrupted that desire.
She leaves behind her daughter, Letty (Letitia) Lanza and her husband, Tom, of Beaumont, Texas, with whom Genevieve made her home for several years, her granddaughter, Stephanie of Pasadena, California, her grandson, Thomas and his wife, Norma, of Kerrville, Texas, a great grandson, Aaron and numerous nephews, nieces, great-nephews and nieces, as well as, her dear friend and sister-in-law, Vera Vansovich Yaro of Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, and the three "sons of her heart", John Zbiegien, Jr. of New Castle, Pennsylvania, Stan "Stas" Yaro and his wife, Linda, of Venice, Florida and Ray Yaro and his wife, Colleen, of Elwood, Pennsylvania.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Stephen Paul Grancaj. her parents; her brothers, John, Walter, Henry and Stanley, a sister Mildred Zbiegien.
A gathering of Mrs. Grancaj's family and friends will begin at 5pm with a Christian Vigil to follow at 7pm Thursday, October 17, 2013 at Saint Anthony Cathedral Basilica, 700 Jefferson Street, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard's, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont.
A gathering of her family and friends will begin at 10am with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11am Saturday, October 19, 2013 at Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 1 Lucymont Drive, New Castle, Pennsylvania, under the direction of Noga Funeral Home, 1142 South Mill Street, New Castle.
Interment will follow at SS Phillip and James Cemetery, Slippery Rock Township, Pennsylvania.
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