Preoteasa Hildegard Grabowski, wife of the late Very Rev. Richard J. Grabowski, fell asleep in the Lord near her home here after suffering a stroke on Tuesday, May 22, 2007.
Father Richard and Preoteasa Hildegard served parishes in Saint Paul, MN; Gary, IN; Los Angeles, CA; and Cleveland, OH, until Father Richard’s retirement in 1989, at which time they moved to Warren, OH. After retirement, Preoteasa faithfully supported Father Richard in his duties as coordinator of Help for Romania, a humanitarian agency of the Orthodox Church in America’s Romanian Episcopate, and later as chairman of the Episcopate’s Department of Christian Assistance. She was very active through the years in the various activities of the Episcopate, thoroughly enjoying the company of their many friends. Following Father Richard’s death in May 2004, she continued to be as active as her health allowed.
She is survived by six children—Michael, George John, Richard, Corina [Phillips], Paul, and Stephen—and their families.
Visitation will be observed at Holy Resurrection Church, Warren, OH, from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Monday, May 28, with the celebration of a Memorial [Saracusta] at 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Service will be celebrated at the Falling Asleep of the Ever Virgin Mary Cathedral, Cleveland, OH, on Tuesday, May 29, at 10:00 a.m., followed by a memorial luncheon. Interment will take place at approximately 5:00 p.m. at Saint Mary Cemetery at the Vatra Româneascã, Grass Lake, MI. Preoteasa Hildegard will be interred next to her husband.
The family asks that memorial contributions in her memory be sent to the Orthodox Monastery of the Transfiguration, 321 Monastery Lane, Ellwood City, PA 16117-6532; the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America, PO Box 309, Grass Lake, MI 49240-0309; or Holy Resurrection Church, 1836 North Road NE, Warren, OH 44483.
May Preoteasa Hildegard’s memory be eternal!