Suzanne McGowan Grescoviak
PORTLAND – Suzanne McGowan Grescoviak, 89, passed peacefully early Sunday morning on Jan. 30, 2022 at Seaside in Portland. Just as a blizzard was moving through and winding down, so was Sue with her loving, devoted family by her side.
Sue was born in Lynn, Mass. on August 5, 1932, the oldest child of adoring parents John Anthony McGowan and Margaret (White) McGowan.
The family lived in Belmont and Watertown, Mass. before traveling to Maine where they lived in Augusta for a few years with her maternal grandparents and aunts while her father traveled for work. Living in Augusta had a profound impact on Sue and solidified her deep love of family. She spent her days with her beloved grandparents and musical mother and aunts who showered her with great love and affection. Because her grandfather worked for, and was a close personal friend of Governor Brann, Sue practically lived at the governor’s mansion surrounded by interesting and exciting people and events.
She was also embraced by her paternal grandparents in Massachusetts. Her grandfather was an editor for the Record American (Boston Herald). He would recite Shakespeare to his granddaughter as they walked around Boston together on Sundays after mass. She was particularly fond of her father’s mother and their time spent together. She often reflected on these times with her supportive family and the role they played in her love of the arts and literature, her sense of humor and quick wit.
The family would move back to Massachusetts and then back to Maine where Sue graduated from Deering High School, Westbrook College, and St. Joseph’s College, majoring in philosophy. Her studies would be reflected in every aspect of her life as she strove to find common ground with everyone she met.
She left Portland the day after graduation and moved to the big city, Washington D.C., in 1952, living in and around the city for 40 years. She loved everything about Washington: the people, the work, the parties, the restaurants, the culture, and the politics. It is here that she met many lifelong friends, including her future husband, and began her amazing career.
On May 2, 1959, Sue married Walter James Grescoviak at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Portland. They were married for almost 50 years and enjoyed a rich life together with family, travels, and times spent with wonderful friends worldwide. They were blessed with two children, John and Karen. Their mutual love of Washington remained with Sue all the days of her life.
To say that Sue enjoyed her career at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops would be an understatement. She enjoyed many roles and responsibilities but primarily led efforts regarding all media and press communication for the bishops as the church was evolving and focusing more and more on social and humanitarian issues. Early on, she traveled around the country meeting with bishops as part of a new national campaign to help communicate the bishops’ support in their city. She would read multiple newspapers a day to prepare and stay current on worldwide affairs and national issues. She briefed the bishops, organized press releases, and would accompany and prepare them for news programs. She was the point person for the bishops’ communications, and always there for them behind the scenes.
Sue was a pioneer at the conference, the first woman to work in the press room at the conference and with the Knights of Columbus. When the focus was on caring for the Cuban refugees, she led resettlement programs primarily in Atlanta, Arkansas, New Jersey, as well as other states around the country. She traveled constantly and was respected for her commitment to advocating for refugees while also developing lifelong friends at the conference.
In 1979, 1987, and 1994, Sue was instrumental in planning the Holy Father’s (Saint John Paul II) visits to the U.S., coordinating and responsible for all his travel, hotel, venue and meeting arrangements in every city. Meeting and planning with local authorities on all press coverage and meeting logistics, she often handled up to 500 media outlets as well as the travel plans of the Papal party. A dear friend and colleague, reflecting on her life, shared that Sue “quietly and gracefully had an impact on the women’s cause in the church.” Being the ultimate planner, these roles fit Sue perfectly. She thrived and enjoyed her career and friendships, finding balance between her work and raising a family with Walter.
After reluctantly retiring, the family moved from Bowie, Md. to Pine Point in Scarborough, where she lived, in the house she designed, until 2016.
From an early age and throughout Sue’s life, she endured many health issues and setbacks but they never deterred her. She never lost her zest for life even as she began to slow down. She remained positive through her final days, savoring every moment, handling difficulties with grace, resilience, and her sense of humor.
Sue loved to have fun, entertain, cook, read, listen to music, and attend the theater. Her caregivers expressed how easy it was to fall in love with her. She loved her long telephone conversations with friends all over the world but especially with her beloved son-in-law, Jim Merrill, sharing news, stories, encouragement, and much laughter.
She was a wonderful, deeply caring mother, grandmother and the best friend anyone could ask for. She was encouraging and supportive in every way possible. Always present and generous with her time and care, she had a gift for deep, meaningful and enduring relationships.
One of her greatest joys in life were the many, many trips taken with Walter and family to Europe, especially to the beautiful island of Majorca, Spain, and the wonderful cities of London and Paris. She encouraged everyone to travel and loved helping you plan your next trip.
Sue was predeceased by her beloved parents; brother, Charles White McGowan; husband, Walter James Grescoviak; grandson, Kevin John McGowan Grescoviak; great-grandchild, Augustine Michael Coppi; and many dear friends.
Survivors include her son, John Grescoviak of Westbrook, daughter, Karen Merrill and her husband Jim of Scarborough; grandchildren Maureen (Stephen) Coppi of Windham, Brennan Grescoviak of Westbrook; and three great-grandchildren.
We will always cherish our time with Sue and be inspired by her un-wavering joy of living!
We would like to thank the fifth floor angels and everyone at Seaside who cared so deeply and helped Mom for many happy years, and especially during the pandemic. We appreciate all the love, kindness, and friendship shown to Mom. It was a big move for Mom and while she embraced her final chapter, we thank you for embracing her.
Thank you to Compassus and Interventional Radiology at Maine Medical Center for their amazing, compassionate care.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Portland on Saturday, Feb. 19 at 10 a.m. Internment will immediately follow at Calvary Cemetery, South Portland.
Due to the pandemic, there will be a Celebration of Life at a later date, when we are able to safely gather.
Please visit http://www.JonesRichandBarnes.com to view Suzanne’s tribute page and to sign her online guest book.
Donations may be made in Sue’s memory to:
Catholic Charities Maine
Refugee and Immigration Program Services
P.O. Box 10660
Portland, ME 04104
Guest Book
« Previous
Credit: Source link
