Patricia Gabriel Grzybowski

Patricia Gabriel Grzybowski, “Pat,” passed away Sunday, October 2, 2022 at her home in Hampton. She was 79. Beloved wife, mother, and devoted grandmother, she was born in Beckley, W.Va., and lived most of her life in Newport News and Hampton Va. While employed at Suburban Grading & Utilities, Inc. in Norfolk, Va. for 17 years as a receptionist and later payroll administrator, she met Terri Grzybowski and through their friendship, Pat was introduced to the charming and gregarious Steve Grzybowski in 1988. They married December 1,1990, and for thirty-one years, through more ups than downs, “thin or flush”, they never left each other’s side but for the occasional girl’s trip Pat enjoyed with her sisters. When Pat and Steve were not hosting their large, combined families EVERY Christmas and most other holidays, they were crisscrossing the Caribbean, were awestruck by the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica or wading in the Aegean Sea off Mykonos. Pat’s was a life well lived. She will be missed for her sense of humor, wise counsel, her grace, and so much more. Pat is survived by her husband, Steve; her sons, Donald W. Hedrick (Sherrie) and Robert W. Hedrick (Janice); stepdaughters, Terri G. Steele (Rob) and Michelle G. Bunch (Joe); grandchildren, Heather Hedrick, Christiana Hedrick, Tristan Grey, and Stephenie Felker; sisters, Sharon Lane, Delores Rowe (Murray), Nancy Anderson (Bruce), Robin Dillard and Diana Hicks; brothers, John Gabriel (Susanne) and Richard Gabriel (Barbara); and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother, Della Wright Cook; her father, Thomas William Cook; her first husband; Robert F. Hedrick; her brother, Michael Jay Cook; and her stepson, David Felker. In celebration of Pat’s life, a memorial service and reception immediately afterward will be held at 3:00 pm Monday, October 10, 2022 at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home, 2551 North Armistead Avenue, Hampton, Va. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society in memory of Patricia Grzybowski at cancer.org.