Joanna K. Grabowski, 48, of Bristol, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Oct. 21, with her family by her side. She was born on April 30, 1975, in Hartford, daughter of Danuta (Kowalczyk) Pieta and the late Jozef Nowak.
Joanna was passionate about her involvement at St. Stanislaus Church, most recently being their Director of Religious Education. In her free time, she enjoyed cooking and baking for others, especially her delicious cupcakes for which she was known.
She also loved listening to music and going out dancing with close friends. Most of all, she enjoyed being with others. From taking care of children to striking up a conversation with a total stranger in the store, Joanna was passionate about creating connections. She was a beloved mother, daughter and friend, and all who were close with her will remember her frequent hour-long phone calls.
Besides her mother and stepfather, Danuta and Edek of Tennessee, Joanna is survived by her sons Joseph Grabowski and his wife Samantha, Michael Grabowski and Ethan Grabowski, all of Bristol. Joanna is also survived by her sister Beata Stawski and her husband Mariusz of New Britain, in addition to numerous aunts, uncles and cousins, many of those in Poland.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday, Oct. 26, at O’Brien Funeral Home, 24 Lincoln Ave., Bristol from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. A Memorial Mass will be held in Friday, Oct. 27, at 10 a.m. directly at St. Stanislaus Church, 510 West St., Bristol.
A burial will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery in New Britain.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, givenow.lls.org.
To leave an online message of condolence, please visit Joanna’s memorial webpage at www.OBrien-FuneralHome.com.
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