Catherine B. (Swidrak) Gracewski, 87, of Enfield, entered into eternal rest Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009, at Evergreen Healthcare with her loving family at her side.

Catherine was born Dec. 24, 1921, in Chicopee, Mass., daughter of the late John and Bertha (Jagodowski) Swidrak and was a resident of Enfield for most of her life. Catherine was employed for Hamilton Standard before retiring many years ago. She was a member of AARP, the Polish Woman's Alliance, and a communicant of Holy Family Church. Catherine loved traveling and the casinos. She was the widow of Alexander H. Gracewski, who died in 1987.

She is survived by her loving children, John G. Gracewski, and his wife, Mary, of Windsor, and Sandi Rook, and her husband, Frank, of Somers; her cherished grandchildren, Frank, Lori, Matthew, Heather, and Rachel; her darling great-grandchildren, Renee, Frankie, and Nicole; brother, John P. Swidrak, and his wife, Dottie, of Chicopee, Mass.; a sister, Joanne Yopak of North Branford; her special in-laws, Bertha, Ed, and Alice; her extended family and special friends.

Family and friends will gather Friday, Oct. 16, by 9 a.m. at the Leete-Stevens Enfield Chapels, 61 South Road, for a funeral procession to Holy Family Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in St. Adalbert's Cemetery.

Catherine's family will receive relatives and friends at Leete-Stevens Enfield Chapels, Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m.

Memorial donations in Catherine's memory may be made to Evergreen Healthcare Recreation Fund, 205 Chestnut Hill Road, Stafford Springs, CT 06076, or to Home & Community Health Services Inc., P.O. Box 1199, Enfield, CT 06083-1199.

Catherine's family would like to thank the staff at Evergreen Healthcare for the loving care she received during her stay, and Dr. Dushyant Parikh, the Enfield Dialysis Center, Home & Community Health Services, and CCCI for their support.
Published in the Journal Inquirer from 10/14/2009 - 10/18/2009