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Genevieve Jane Jara Grancaj1916-2013 - b. New Castle, Pa.

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Genevieve Jane Jara Grancaj1916-2013 - b. New Castle, Pa.

Posted: 17 Oct 2013 10:42AM GMT
Classification: Obituary
Surnames: Komark, Jara
BEAUMONT, TEXAS – Genevieve Jane Jara Grancaj, 96, died peaceful early in the morning of Oct. 15, 2013, with her daughter and her granddaughter at her bedside at Spanish Trail Assisted Living in Silsbee, Texas.

She was born on Dec. 11, 1916, to Anelia Komark Jara and Adalbert Jara, in a humble home near Big Run in New Castle, Pa.

Genevieve was the youngest of six children born to the young couple who had emigrated from Poland.

Her love for her Polish heritage, the rolling hills of Pennsylvania, and her devotion to family remained through her life.

Genevieve was a parishioner of historic St. Philip and James Church in New Castle, PA. 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 the Holy Family Parish in Poland, Ohio, and helped establish a Catholic community there at a time when prejudice against Catholics was rampant and vocal.


Following her marriage and after a move to Ohio, Genevieve joined the work force at Plakie Toys in Youngstown, Ohio.

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.

Genevieve and Steve had only one daughter, Letitia, but 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, “Stas” and RayYaro, “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. 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.


She leaves behind her daughter, Letty (Letitia) Lanza and her husband, Tom, with whom Genevieve made her home for several years; her granddaughter, Stephanie of Pasadena, Calif.; her grandson, Thomas and his wife, Norma, of Kerrville, Texas; a great-grandson, Aaron; numerous nephews, nieces, and great-nephews and nieces; as well as her dear friend and sister-in-law, Vera Vansovich Yaro of Ellwood City, Pa.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Stephen Paul Grancaj; her parents; her brothers, John, Walter, Henry and Stanley; and a sister, Mildred Zbiegien.

In New Castle, a gathering of her family and friends at St. Vincent De Paul Parish Church will begin at 10 a.m., with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2013.

Rite of Committal and burial will take place at SS Phillip and James Cemetery.

Local arrangements handled by the Noga Funeral Home Inc., 1142 South Mill St. in New Castle.

Online condolences may be viewed or given by visiting nogafuneralhome.com

Due to travel, the family is asking that flowers not be sent to either location.


Mahoning

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