Mary (Wanczyk) Grandonico

HADLEY, Mary T. (Wanczyk) Grandonico, 98, of 95 Huntington Road Hadley, died July 6 at Genesis HealthCare in Hadley.

Born September 30, 1914 in Hadley, she was the daughter of the late Joseph S. and Tekla (Baj) Wanczyk.

A 1933 graduate of Hopkins Academy, Mary’s pride of her alma mater never waned.

On August 31, 1936 she married Julius V. Grandonico at Holy Rosary Church in Hadley; they lovingly shared 55 years of marriage until Julius’s death in 1991, residing at various times in Amherst and Hadley.

In addition to raising four children, Mary worked in numerous capacities throughout her life. With her husband, they owned and operated Grandonico’s Shoe Repair in Amherst; the Little Store in Amherst; and the Belchertown Townhouse restaurant in Belchertown. She then worked at the University of Massachusetts until her retirement. She always spoke fondly of her co-workers and associates at UMass.

Mary’s varied interests and hobbies included traveling with friends, bowling, cards, reading, crafts, raising African Violets, the Red Hat Society, and the Hadley Council on Aging. A bingo game was never too far away to attend with friends! When her husband was alive, they loved thoroughbred racing.

She made friends easily. She was a proud woman, especially regarding her family; her Polish heritage; lessons learned growing up on a farm; and her beloved Hopkins. One of her most admirable traits was her forgiving-heart.  She looked for the good in people and chose to leave judgment to a higher power.

In addition to her husband, she was pre-deceased by siblings John, Edward, Joseph, Tony, Annie (Kostek) and Michael Wanczyk.

She leaves her loving children: Julius Grandonico, Jr. and his wife Marisa of Palm Beach Gardens, FL; Sandra Knightly and her husband David of Amherst; Peter Grandonico and his wife Kathleen of Hatfield; and Vincent Grandonico of Sunderland.  She also leaves beloved grandchildren: Barry, David, Todd, Dean, Peter, Kathryn, Victoria, and Gary; nine great-grandchildren; many nephews and nieces; and her sister, Nellie Matysiewicz of Sunderland.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Ross Midler as well as the staff at Genesis HealthCare in Hadley for their professional and loving care and support.

The private funeral will be held this morning at the Douglass Funeral Home in Amherst; there are no calling hours. Burial will be in the Holy Rosary Cemetery in Hadley.

Memorial gifts in Mary’s name may be made to Hopkins Academy 350^th Celebration, PO Box 386, Hadley, MA 01035 or to Most Holy Redeemer Church, 120 Russell Street, Hadley, MA 01035. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.