Theresa Gruszka

Theresa Gruska, of Philadelphia, passed away on February 21st, 2023 with her close family by her side. She was 85 years old. Theresa was born in Lelice, Poland to Jan and Stanislawa Kurowski. She was the youngest of three children and emigrated to the United States in the late 1950’s with her parents. She was able to join her older brother, Ryszard and his wife, Florence to begin a better life. She originally lived in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia for several years and moved to the Northeast Philadelphia area after marrying her husband, Casimir. Theresa worked for over 50 years as a seamstress for Albert Nipon Design House, creating luxury dresses that would be sold in Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, and Saks Fifth Avenue. She later joined Jones of New York apparel group, under the direction of Rena Rowland, until she retired. Theresa was also an active member of the Polish Heritage Society. In her free time, she enjoyed taking care of her grandchildren, cooking, gardening, sewing, and traveling. She loved spending many vacations with her family and grandchildren, especially to Disney World. Her cooking was impeccable. She made delicious homemade Polish golobki, barsazcz, chrusciki, and pierogi. The holiday season was her favorite time of the year to gather with all of her loved ones. Many family gatherings would occur at her home for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve Polish wiglia, and easter. Her gracious and effervescent personality warmed all of our hearts. Her strength in the lord gave her much comfort. She had so much love for everyone that she met, including her family and many close neighbors. She was like a mother to them as well. The children in the neighborhood were her grandchildren too. She was very proud of her only daughter and son in law and their careers of medical service, as physicians. Her love for her entire family, four grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and their children knew no limits. Her deep faith and love for the Lord gave her the strength and comfort during difficult times, as well. We are all left to grieve for the loss of a truly remarkable woman. Heaven is now a far richer place with her presence. She will be deeply missed by her loving daughter, Dr. Lisa G. Tufankjian, DO and Son in Law, Dr. Dearon K. Tufankjian, her grandchildren: Sydney, Dearon Jr., Austin, and Jordyn, and her brother-in-law, Ryszard Wojciechowski. She was predeceased in this life by her husband of 57 years, Casimir, her brother Ryszard Kurowski (the late Florence), and her sister, Jadwiga Wojciechowski (Ryszard), and both of her parents, Jan and Stanislawa Kurowski. She is also survived by her nephews, Walter Wojciechowski (Kathleen), Gregory Wojciechowski (Mary), Richard Kurowski (Gail), and Thomas Kurowski (Deborah), and her grand nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Viewing at St. Charles Borromeo Church, 1731 Hulmeville Road, Bensalem, Pa 19020 on Saturday, March 4th from 9:30-11:00 AM followed by her Mass at 11:00 AM. Interment will take place at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa Cemetery.