WEBB, MRS. THERESA JOAN (Wife of Charles) N. Muskegon Theresa Joan Webb, 73, passed away on January 26th, 2011, surrounded by her loving family, in her home, following a short battle with cancer. Theresa was born on August 22, 1937 to the late Edward and Helen (Pietrowicz) Grabinski in Muskegon. She graduated from Muskegon Catholic Central High School in 1955, and married her husband of 49 years, Charles C. Webb, formerly of Grand Haven, on June 17, 1961 at St. Michael Church in Muskegon. Music talent started early in her life when her father, an accordion player, taught her to play the accordion. Her father started a band, the "Polka Swingsters", in the early 1930s, and his brother Bill joined him on violin. Due to the loss of an arm in a factory accident in the early 1940s, her father switched to playing drums, and she soon joined the band as the accordionist. When her father died in 1962, she took over the lead of the band and was joined by her husband on banjo and guitar. The band was renamed the Grabinski's Orchestra, and they continued to play throughout the Midwest until their last job on New Year's Eve 2010 at Wilma Hall in Muskegon. They also chaired the Seaway and Lumbertown Polka Fests for many years. In 1977, Theresa was inducted into the State of Michigan Music Hall of Fame. Her father and husband were inducted into the State of Michigan Polka Music Hall of Fame in 1972 and 1999 respectively. She was also honored by the Michigan State Senate in 1977 for her state-wide musical contributions. She was instrumental in encouraging others to learn and enjoy playing music, especially the young. She could also be seen playing recently at the Polish Roman Catholic Union's monthly community jam sessions. Besides being a musician, Theresa was a homemaker and was also employed at several area banks including Hackley, CoAmerica and Fifth Third. She was a member of Prince of Peace Catholic Church and volunteered and worked at many functions there from the time of its founding. Theresa loved to travel and visited all of the contiguous 48 states, Mexico, Canada, Europe and, most recently, the Caribbean. She also enjoyed playing golf at Lincoln Golf Course where she was a member for the past 25 years. She will be greatly missed by her loving husband, Charles. Her son LCDR Charles E. Webb (US Coast Guard), and spouse Lisa and sons Daniel and Austin of South Mills, NC. And her daughter Catherine J. Rahrig, and spouse Peter and daughter Morgan of Muskegon. She was preceded in death by her sister, Joan M. Haegar of Montague and her brother Thomas E. Grabinski of Spring Lake. THE MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL will be 11AM Monday, January 31, 2011, at St. Michael Catholic Church (1716 Sixth) with Rev. Fr. Thomas J. Brown as celebrant. Visitation will be Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at The Lee Chapel Sytsema Funeral Homes, Inc. 6291 S. Harvey St. 231-798-1100 With the ROSARY being prayed at 6 PM. A private family burial will take place at a later time. MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS may be made to the American Cancer Society, The Salvation Army, or VNS Hospice.

Published by Muskegon Chronicle on Jan. 28, 2011.