Obituary for Bernice Passaretti (Rapacki, Grundman)
Bernice Passaretti, beloved and loving mother and grandmother, world traveler, avid reader and bridge player, superb seamstress, and talented pie baker, died peacefully on Thursday, June 9, 2022.
Bernice was born on October 25, 1934, in the Bronx, NY, to Amelia Blonski Rapacki and Bronislaw Rapacki. She grew up in Teaneck, NJ, and graduated from Teaneck High School.
In July 1953, Bernice married Charles (Chuck) Grundman. They had three children: Jan, Jeff, and Tom. The family moved frequently, and Bernice could set up a new home in no time. She unpacked, painted walls and hung wallpaper, and designed and sewed drapes. She volunteered for Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, PTA, and church; baked many school treats; and made most of the Halloween costumes.
After a divorce in 1970, Bernice moved with the kids to NJ to be near extended family. She got a job at American Cyanamid as a secretary and was promoted within the legal department. Bernice enjoyed living closer to her older sister Lee and younger brother Richard and their families. She also remained part of Chuck’s family for the rest of her life.
Bernice married Armand Passaretti in 1972, and they retired to FL in 1986. They had a wonderful time in retirement and spent much of it traveling around the world, particularly on cruises. After Armand died in 2003, Bernice continued to travel. Holland America was her favorite cruise line, and across her years of cruising, she sailed more than 700 nights aboard that line’s ships. At home, she played in a bridge league, attended literary luncheons, subscribed to the local theater, and volunteered as a literacy tutor. Her independence and grit made her a role model for what life as an older woman could be.
Bernice loved babies and rejoiced in her grandchildren (Gregory, Caitlin, Erich, Sarah, Emily, Hadley, Chrissy, Kate, Brian, and Josh) from babyhood on. She helped out when they were born, went to their athletic games and performances, cooked with them, sewed them clothes and costumes, attended their graduations, and always looked forward to her times with them.
In 2018 Bernice moved to Pittsburgh, first into the independent living part of a continuing care retirement community, and later to other levels as her Alzheimer’s disease progressed. Since her recent move to the nursing home section, her condition had been declining swiftly. She was on hospice care, but the timing of her death was unexpected.
Bernice’s son Tom Grundman and her parents, siblings and their spouses, and stepsons Tom and Gary Passaretti predeceased her. She is survived by her daughter, Jan Moore (husband Hank), son Jeff Grundman (wife Laura Fergusson), daughter-in-law Cari Grundman, stepdaughter Marjorie Greimel, stepdaughter-in-law Debbie Passaretti, her grandchildren, nieces, nephews, in-laws, and friends who will all miss her loving kindness very much.
A commemoration of Bernice’s life is planned for July 24. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bernice’s memory can be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 8th Ave., 16th Floor, New York, NY 10001, or at http://alzfdn.org.
Arrangements by BEINHAUERS, 724-941-3211. Add and view tributes at www.beinhauer.com.
Bernice was born on October 25, 1934, in the Bronx, NY, to Amelia Blonski Rapacki and Bronislaw Rapacki. She grew up in Teaneck, NJ, and graduated from Teaneck High School.
In July 1953, Bernice married Charles (Chuck) Grundman. They had three children: Jan, Jeff, and Tom. The family moved frequently, and Bernice could set up a new home in no time. She unpacked, painted walls and hung wallpaper, and designed and sewed drapes. She volunteered for Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, PTA, and church; baked many school treats; and made most of the Halloween costumes.
After a divorce in 1970, Bernice moved with the kids to NJ to be near extended family. She got a job at American Cyanamid as a secretary and was promoted within the legal department. Bernice enjoyed living closer to her older sister Lee and younger brother Richard and their families. She also remained part of Chuck’s family for the rest of her life.
Bernice married Armand Passaretti in 1972, and they retired to FL in 1986. They had a wonderful time in retirement and spent much of it traveling around the world, particularly on cruises. After Armand died in 2003, Bernice continued to travel. Holland America was her favorite cruise line, and across her years of cruising, she sailed more than 700 nights aboard that line’s ships. At home, she played in a bridge league, attended literary luncheons, subscribed to the local theater, and volunteered as a literacy tutor. Her independence and grit made her a role model for what life as an older woman could be.
Bernice loved babies and rejoiced in her grandchildren (Gregory, Caitlin, Erich, Sarah, Emily, Hadley, Chrissy, Kate, Brian, and Josh) from babyhood on. She helped out when they were born, went to their athletic games and performances, cooked with them, sewed them clothes and costumes, attended their graduations, and always looked forward to her times with them.
In 2018 Bernice moved to Pittsburgh, first into the independent living part of a continuing care retirement community, and later to other levels as her Alzheimer’s disease progressed. Since her recent move to the nursing home section, her condition had been declining swiftly. She was on hospice care, but the timing of her death was unexpected.
Bernice’s son Tom Grundman and her parents, siblings and their spouses, and stepsons Tom and Gary Passaretti predeceased her. She is survived by her daughter, Jan Moore (husband Hank), son Jeff Grundman (wife Laura Fergusson), daughter-in-law Cari Grundman, stepdaughter Marjorie Greimel, stepdaughter-in-law Debbie Passaretti, her grandchildren, nieces, nephews, in-laws, and friends who will all miss her loving kindness very much.
A commemoration of Bernice’s life is planned for July 24. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bernice’s memory can be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 8th Ave., 16th Floor, New York, NY 10001, or at http://alzfdn.org.
Arrangements by BEINHAUERS, 724-941-3211. Add and view tributes at www.beinhauer.com.