Genevieve Mary Wawro ‘Gramma,’ 89, died Feb. 17, 2016, in her home surrounded by family and caregivers. She was born in Chicago on Feb. 5, 1927. She was raised in a Polish suburb of Chicago and started her career in the Chicago financial district.
She married Joseph in 1945. They traveled the United States devoting their time to the dental care of the underserved through Joseph’s career with the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs.
They settled in New Munster, in the 1950s to raise their family of three and care for their aging parents. It was in a nearby rural community where Joseph started his private dental practice with Genevieve by his side. Later, their health care needs took them to Hayden, Idaho, where her husband preceded her in death on Aug. 10, 1997. She continued to travel at this time with her sister and brother-in-law back and forth to Phoenix. She was seen frequently around her community running errands for her family with the assistance of her friends and caregivers.
The kindest of spirits, Genevieve is known for her gentle, positive attitude and love of travel, scratch-off lottery tickets, games and reading. Gramma provided care for many including her husband, parents, sisters, children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews and extended family. She touched many lives with her constant care for others. She was a talented artist and craftsperson and shared this with many, including her children and nieces.
She had an unwavering faith in God and his angels. She spent hours a day in prayer and reflection. She joined Unity in the early 1960s and lived her life in a manner that reflected her deep beliefs in God.
Survivors include her daughters, Jean ‘Kiki’ (Greg) Brackett and Maryann (Todd) Prescott; her grandchildren, Essex Prescott, Joshua Wawro, Katrina (Jeffery) Lombardo, Natasha (Mario) Taliafierro, Nadia (James) Parola and Alek Wawro and their mother Mary Geick Wawro; great-grandchildren, Charlie Wawro, Chloe Lombardo, and Franceska and Luchiano Parola; nieces, Sandra and Nancy; nephews, Stephen and John Hornewer.
She was further preceded in death by her son, John, and sisters, Wanda and Jean.
Her daughters, sons-in-law and grandson lovingly cared for her the last 19 years of her life. A host of incredible caregivers also provided assistance with her care in recent years. The family gives them and everyone else who cared for Gramma their greatest gratitude.
A memorial will be held at Chances Restaurant, 205 W. Main St., Rochester. The family will receive friends on Monday May 2, from 1-3 p.m. (use Hwy. W to get to Chances as Hwy. D is in repair). In lieu of floral expressions of sympathy, the family would appreciate donations made to your favorite charity or an act of kindness to a person in need. Mealy Funeral Home, Waterford, is serving the family.
Well-wishers can visit www.mealyfuneralhome.com.
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