Obituary of Alice A. (nee Groblewski) Grzybowski

Alice, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, passed away peacefully at home in the loving arms of her husband of 65 years, Leonard, on December 13. 2024. In addition to her husband, Alice is survived by her six children, 12 grandchildren, and 1 great granddaughter.

Alice was born on March 31, 1937, the first of two children of Thomas and Francis Groblewski. She was born and raised in Buffalo, New York and often talked about growing up in their family home on Beck Street. The family eventually moved to Poplar Avenue in Buffalo.

Alice attended Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy, (aka Villa Maria), in Buffalo from 1950 - 1954, where she met some of her dearest friends, and created life long friendships lasting over 65 years. Alice was active in various clubs and organizations and often pulled out her high school yearbook to reminisce about those cherished times with her friends. One of Alice’s proudest moments, as she would tell the story, was playing the role of Mother Mary in the high school play, “Behold the Mother.”

Alice and Leonard met at a Sunday night dance at Saint John Kanty in Buffalo.  Leonard would drive from Depew with his friends and Alice would attend with her best friend and cousin.  On August 29, 1959, Alice married Leonard, the love of her life. They lived on Poplar Avenue in the apartment above her parents where they welcomed their children, David, Julie and Lori. Later they moved to Depew, where the last three children, Tim, Michael and Mary Jane were born. 

Alice was a devoted wife and mother who dedicated her heart and soul to raising and caring for her children. For years, she put their needs above her own, creating a home filled with love, guidance, and warmth. Through every challenge and joy, she was the steady presence, always nurturing and protecting her family. Her sacrifices and unwavering commitment shaped the lives of her children, leaving a legacy of selflessness, strength, and unconditional love.

Before and after raising her six children, Alice worked at the Erb Plumbing and Heating Company in Buffalo for well over 20 years. She held positions in the payroll and inventory departments and eventually became a Sales Associate in the showroom.  Alice was very social and loved to talk to anyone. She would often come home, excited to tell stories about the people she had helped and the friendships she made. 

Alice and Leonard were members of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Bowmansville for 55 years. Alice was a proud member of the Altar and Rosary Society at Sacred Heart. 

She was a devoted and steadfast believer in her Catholic faith and her unwavering trust in God provided her with strength and guidance.

Alice cherished her family home in Depew where her and Leonard have lived for 48 years. She loved to be outdoors in her garden and had a fondness for flowers. Alice had books all over the house about gardening and when something wasn’t right with her plants and flowers, Alice was always reading about how to make them better.  Alice also loved to cook and was a great baker.  She was always trying out new recipes, but her Polish dishes were always the best!  The pleasure she had from cooking for loved ones mirrored the warmth of her heart.  Her home was open to everyone, and her hospitality made them feel welcome.

Alice found much joy and excitement in watching sports and especially enjoyed rooting on her hometown Buffalo Bills and the New York Yankees. She particularly excelled at her Monday morning quarterback sessions, always insisting that the Bills needed to play more like a team, after a tough loss! Her love for baseball grew from a young age through listening to MLB games on the radio with her father.

Alice also loved to spend time doing needlepoint and crochet. She would often crochet hats and scarfs to give to her girls and was always excited about trying new projects. Alice completed many beautiful needlepoint pictures that were framed and hung throughout the house and she made special needlepoint gifts for her grandchildren when they married.

Together, Alice and Leonard cultivated many cherished friendships over the years, and their lives were enriched by the company of those they loved. They enjoyed traveling with dear friends, creating lasting memories that brought them great joy. There were always plenty of laughs when they were with their friends - they always had so much fun together! Everyone who knew Alice truly loved her, and as one of her dearest friends said, “Alice was everyone’s best friend.”

Without a doubt, Alice’s grandchildren brought her immense joy throughout the years.  

Their visits were a highlight of her days, as she cherished every moment spent with them—whether playing cards, sharing stories about their school days, or simply enjoying their company.  The Grzybowski home was the heart of the family’s Christmas holiday traditions. The gatherings were filled with laughter, love and warmth, creating memories that her grandchildren and children will always treasure.

Alice’s ability to bring everyone together to create joy and happiness is a legacy that will live in our hearts forever.