Obituary of Maria Beck Grechko

Maria Beck Grechko, 89, of Glastonbury, CT, passed away comfortably on July 15, 2016. The daughter of Friedrich and Margareta Beck, she was born on July 21, 1926, in Kirchenlamitz, Germany. She had one sister, the late Elise Beck Lorenz of Coburg, Germany. After World War II, she immigrated to the U.S. as a young adult with her good friend Friedl on a work visa sponsored by the late U.S. Senator and Connecticut Governor Abraham A. Ribicoff. In 1955, Maria married her husband, the late Kenneth Constantine Grechko. The two enjoyed 61 years of marriage until his recent passing, living for nearly all of that time in Glastonbury, where they raised their family. Maria was a reserved, yet strong woman who exemplified old world tradition and family values. A loving homemaker, wife and mother, she never drove a car, but loved outings with her family, reading, walks and socializing with neighborhood friends. In her younger years, she was also fond of dancing and at one time was an avid bowler. In later years, being a grandmother was her greatest joy and she delighted in holidays and special occasions that brought her family together. Maria is survived by her loving daughter, Ingrid Munley and her husband, Brian of Asheboro, N.C., and her devoted son, Eric Grechko and his wife, Janis of Glastonbury, who cared for her for many years. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Erin, Brian, Elise, and Max and one great grandchild, Allie Kate. Services for Maria will be held on Friday, July 22, 2016 with calling hours from 11am – 12 noon and a memorial service immediately following at 12noon in the Mulryan Funeral Home, 725 Hebron Avenue in Glastonbury CT. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association http://m.alz.org/donate.asp or via mail at Alzheimer's Association P.O. Box 96011 Washington, DC 20090-6011.