Marie Theresa Gruninger's Obituary
Marie Theresa "Chickie" (Sansone) Gruninger, of Syracuse, passed away Wednesday at Upstate University Medical Center. She was born on August 30, 1933 in Norfolk, VA. Marie attended St. John the Baptist School where she met and married Ronald J. Gruninger on September 3, 1955. She was employed with Excelsior Insurance Company as a Commercial Underwriter for 26 years. Marie enjoyed life: she loved baking, cooking for family and friends, SU basketball, playing cards, trips to Atlantic City, yearly visits with her son, grandsons and friends in Florida. The highlight of her days were watching her great-granddaughters and spending holiday gatherings with family. Marie was the most caring, thoughtful, nurturing, understanding, non judgmental, loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She will be truly missed but remembered by us all. She was predeceased by her brother, Anthony Sansone and sister, Anna Lucchesi. Marie is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, Ronald J. Gruninger; daughter, Linda Gruninger; son, Ronald J. Gruninger, Jr. of Bonita Springs, FL; granddaughter, Amy Battilana-Meyer (Hans); grandsons, Ronald J. Gruninger, III and David Gruninger; great-granddaughters, Ava and Gwenyth Meyer; sister, Louise (William) Chrysler; sister-in-law, Rosalie Sansone, brother-in-law, Angelo Lucchesi, brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Marie Gruninger along with many wonderful nieces, nephews, and devoted friends of many years both near and far. Services will be held on Monday at 8:00 am at the THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME and 9:00 am in St. John the Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Assumption Cemetery. Family and friends may call at the THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME, 3401 Vickery Rd. (corner of Buckley Rd.) North Syracuse on Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to CNYSPCA and/or St. John the Baptist Church.
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