All Condolences -

Christine was my Grandma, or Gigi as we affectionately called her after she became a Great-Grandmother when my daughter Olivia was born. My middle name is Christine after her - I’ve always loved telling people this, because she was such an amazing woman and so important to me. I was fortunate to spend the first 8 years of my life with Grandma living with us in The Green House as we called it (we lived in a big green home in Erie). We’d sit at her kitchen table in her apartment on the second floor and watch out the window, counting & naming the colors of the cars that drove by. She would read and I would color her pictures, mostly of Peter Pan and Tinkerbell. She kept those drawings until I was an adult. She would make us homemade soup with elbow macaroni, milk and butter. She would let me eat butter and brown sugar sandwiches on special occasions! She loved her day time soaps and her record player, she’d let me choose records and we would dance and I would play dress up in her clothes. Her favorite color was green. I dressed as her for Halloween the first year after moved, in one of her green dresses. I loved the old pictures of her from when she was young, like an old Hollywood Moviestar. Her guest bed had our favorite blanket, and white wicker furniture, an the walls were covered in framed pictures of her family and those she loved. Her father, “Granddad” and I shared a birthday. She taught me “You are my sunshine” and I would sing it to him when he was sick with cancer when I was little. Every night we would say our prayers together she was a good Catholic woman. She raised 4 children on her own and taught children in school. She was so brave, selfless, gentle, and fun. I have so many fond memories with her. The kitchen table stories were her favorite to tell. She told me those stories the last time we spoke. She was getting ready for “work” on her birthday. She attended a senior day center where everyone adored her! To know her was to love her. She had so many nice things to say about the people there. Thank you all for being so good to my grandma. One of my favorite stories is how grandma would walk me to the corner store called Orsini’s market when I was little, and she’d buy me a pretzel stick for ten cents I can still recall the scent of the store and the pretzels. Another is on a visit to the Fairfield Beach Club, she couldn’t find a cup and put her drink in a small bowl (we had ordered take-out) and sipped it with both hands like it was soup broth. My late hubby and I thought this was so funny, she’d shoot us a wink while taking a sip from across the deck where we were sitting. Brian and I giggled about this right up until his passing. A week before we recalled fond memories with Grandma, and he said how she would out live him as she was so strong and full of life, and she did, and she was. Despite him being a really big guy, grandma walked right up to him and gave him the biggest hug when they first met. He always said how that was the nicest hug he’d ever received. She really did give the best hugs. She always made everything alright. I can still remember the songs she sang me as a child to fall asleep. Her dedication and as a mother and caregiver was inspiring she will always be my hero. My mother became the gentle and caring mother she is because of her mother, and I always strived to be the same. Grandma was witty and funny too- she could always make you laugh or put a smile on your face. She was a great story teller. I loved hearing about her latest adventure with her son mark when she moved to MA, such cute outfits she wore for every occasion. she would look at the Boston sound from her apt. Window there, and Id ask her the color of the boats. Her sister also resides in Boston, you’d think they were twins! She loved her sister Carol very much. She loved all of her children & grandchildren so much, and my dad, she always spoke so highly of my dad even the last time we spoke - what a wonderful husband he is to my mom and good to us girls. We all loved Grandma so dearly and will miss her so. She was an angel on this Earth and now a real angel watching over us. What a beautiful angel to have. I know she is in heaven with her brothers and parents now, and with Julius, and greeted by Brian with the biggest hug. Until we meet again Grandma <3 May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, the rain fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand. ?? Rest peacefully Gigi ?? Love, your first grand baby, Emily. I will cherish you always. ??
— Emily Christine Belczyk (Allison)

So sorry to hear. She graduated with my mom and I went to school with Mark. Always so sweet. Thoughts and prayers.
— Ann Bernhard

Mark and I always enjoyed visiting with you. Dance with the angels Chris
— Diane