Violet 'Vi' Grabowski

Violet "Vi" Grabowski, age 78, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016, at her residence. She was born in The Bronx and lived in Staten Island, New York. Upon graduating high school, Mrs. Grabowski entered a convent in Missouri. She decided not to receive her final vows and met the love of her life, Louis "Ralph" Grabowski.

They soon married and they lovingly raised four children together. She had been employed at the former Playboy Club then the Americana in McAfee and recently retired from Andover Subacute and Rehabilitation Center at the age of 73. She had worked there for more than 20 years as a Recreation Aide and was the person responsible for starting the religous programs for all denominations at the nursing home. Mrs. Grabowski was a member of St. Monica R.C. Church in Sussex. She was predeceased by her husband of 51 years, Louis "Ralph" Grabowski on Sept. 7, 2012; her son, Dennis Wayne Grabowski; and her daughter, Karen Grabowski. Mrs. Grabowski is survived by her daughter, Lori Teets, and her fiance, Anthony, of Wantage; her son, Lawrence "Larry" Grabowski and his wife, Christina, of Little Egg Harbor; and her three grandchildren, Justin Leyman, Jared O'Connor, and Ashley Teets. Funeral services were held at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 11, 2016, from the Pinkel Funeral Home, 31 Bank Street (Route 23), Sussex. Mass of Christian burial followed at 10 a.m. at St. Monica R.C. Church, 33 Unionville Avenue, Sussex. Entombment was at the Mausoleum at Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Franklin. Friends paid their respects to the family on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2015, from 4-7 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations may be made in Violet's memory to Compassionate Care Hospice, 350 Sparta Avenue, Sparta, NJ 07871. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.pinkelfuneralhome.com.