Josephine M. Grenchik, 94, entered into eternal rest on Friday, October 30. She was surrounded by family as she was nearing her final time on earth. She is the beloved wife of Thomas J. Grenchik, who preceded her in death five years ago; loving mother of Thomas (Diane), Marty (Sherry), and Mary (Troy); cherished grandmother of Michael (Leah), Katie, Maria (Philip), Peter, Christopher, Marian (Tim), Martin, Marie (Josh), Margaret, Mark, Matthew, Joseph (Kasey), Fr. Linus, Anna (Joseph), Thomas (Kathryn), Theresa, Timothy, and Monica; adoring great-grandma of Benjamin, Delilah, Jacob, Gregory, Adela, Philip, Elizabeth Josephine, Chase, Walker, Beau, Oliver; devoted daughter of the late Joseph Snarich and the late Mary Therese Snarich; dear sister of the late Marian “Mimi” Snarich, and twin sister of the late Joseph “Unc” Snarich.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church (a.k.a. St. Mary’s), 256 Tract Road, Fairfield, PA, with Fr. Linus Martz, O.P. officiating; burial will follow at St. Mary’s and St. Rita’s Catholic Cemetery. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Kenworthy Funeral Home, Inc. The family will receive family and friends during a viewing one hour prior to the funeral Mass in the vestibule of the Church.
Josephine “Fifi” Snarich was born on July 15, 1932 in East Chicago, IN, to Joseph and Mary Therese (Pavlas) Snarich. She graduated from George Rogers Clark High School in June, 1951. She was a gifted musician, playing viola with three symphonies in Chicago and northern Indiana. She worked as a pediatric nurse at four hospitals and clinics in the Chicago area. Josephine married the love of her life, Tom, on December 27, 1958. They had a beautiful marriage, an example of lifelong love and devotion. After Tom retired, he and Fifi moved to the beautiful Carroll Valley, PA. In September 2013, they moved into the Utz Terrace Retirement Community in Hanover, PA. In February 2020, they relocated to Sacred Heart Home in Hyattsville, MD, to allow Tom to have additional care in a Catholic environment. Fifi was Tom’s primary caretaker throughout his years of battling Parkinsons. After Tom’s passing in 2021, Fifi moved in with son, Tom, and daughter-in-law, Diane. They welcomed “Grandma” into their family life, and the neighborhood squirrels were delighted with the treats she fed them from the porch. After her health deteriorated such that she needed more care, she moved into a group assisted living home in Laurel, MD. Tom and Diane continued to be her primary caregivers, and she had frequent visits from family and friends, and puppy Byron. She enjoyed saying “Toodles” with a twinkle in her eyes when a visit or call came to an end.
Josephine was staunch defender of life. She was a sidewalk counselor in front of abortion clinics, she gave out pro-life brochures to people she met along her way, counselled at multiple pregnancy centers, and even purchased time on a pro-life billboard to spread the message that life needs to be protected from conception until natural death.
Josephine was a member of several charitable organizations: Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation, Catholic League, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Concerned Women for America, National Right to Life Committee. She and Tom attended multiple March for Life events in Washington, DC.
Josephine was a devoted mom. She took up Tae Kwon Do lessons with her sons, Tom and Marty, to spend time with them. Then, when they eventually needed to quit because of high school activities, Josephine kept taking lessons until she eventually earned her black belt! She was always on the run driving Tom, Marty, and Mary to various activities, games, and lessons. And she continued that love for the grandkids (and great-grandkids!) as they came along.
Josephine lived a life filled with devotion to God and her family. She loved attending daily Mass at their home parish of St. Hugh’s Catholic Church in Greenbelt, Maryland. When they retired to Carroll Valley, they were members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Fairfield. When they moved to Utz Terrace in Hanover, they were members of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Hanover. She was diligent about praying a daily Rosary. As she was declining, she understood that her job was to pray for others. She set a beautiful example of living your Catholic Faith and taking care of your family. We trust that she is enjoying her eternal reward, still praying for others, and reunited with Tom, the love of her life, his “Funny Valentine.”
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Catoctin Pregnancy Center, P.O. Box 1168, Emmitsburg, MD, 21727, in honor of her pro-life efforts. Josephine volunteered there for years, assisting women and children in need.
Source: Kenworthy funeral-home notice