Amanda Ann (nee Whichard) Cebrowski entered eternal life on July 24, 2026, at the age of 84. She was the daughter of the late James Cecil and Catharine (McCarrick) Whichard. For 62 years, Amanda was the beloved wife of John Wacław Cebrowski. She was the loving mother of Suzanne (Bill) Kitchel, Elizabeth Jobe, Sister Mary Seton Cebrowski, and Catharine (Oscar) Guajardo. She was the proud grandmother of Sarah (Will) Kirkgard, Ryan Kitchel, Daniel Kitchel, and Matthew Kitchel; Olivia Jobe and Ian Jobe; Diego Guajardo, Luke Guajardo, and Helen Guajardo. She was a dear sister to Susan (Whichard) Cliatt, the late Cay (Whichard) Lewis, and the late Frances (Whichard) Odenheimer. She was a caring aunt to all of the Cliatt, Lewis, Odenheimer, Cebrowski, and Niro children.
Amanda was born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia, the precocious youngest of four sisters. She taught herself to read so young that when she entered Sacred Heart grade school in the first grade, they quickly moved her to the second grade. At Norfolk Catholic High School, she was a star of the basketball team–where she once broke an opponent’s nose–and earned All-State Defense Honors. She graduated as salutatorian of the class of 1959.
Amanda attended Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, Virginia, at the time the women’s division of the University of Virginia, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 1963. It was there, in 1962, when four young Marine aviation officer candidates from Quantico strolled into the senior dorm one night looking for dates. Candidate Cebrowski, from Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, was immediately captivated by the charming Amanda with her distinct Tidewater Virginia drawl, and Amanda was enchanted by the tall Marine. Amanda went to work for American Cyanamid after graduation. As soon as John finished flight school in Kingsville, Texas in April 1964, they married in Norfolk at Blessed Sacrament Church, then moved to Beaufort, South Carolina, where John was posted at the Marine Corps Air Station.
Amanda then began her true vocation as wife and mother. She was a talented cook, kept a spotless home, and crafted many of her four daughters’ clothes herself. Every morning before school, she made the girls a hot breakfast, and on Sundays prepared a special brunch after Mass. She was a believer in family dinners and strict bedtimes. Her daughters remember looking longingly out their bedroom windows on summer evenings as the neighborhood kids continued to play games – but they are all thankful now for the healthy habits she instilled in them.
John’s business career moved their family to Florida, North Carolina, Connecticut, Michigan and Wisconsin over the next decades. Amanda never missed a beat. She packed and unpacked in each new locale and worked with John to paint and wallpaper and make each house a home. She made friends easily and was a cherished neighbor, sharing the tomatoes, zucchini, and other fruits of her bountiful vegetable gardens. Amanda dove into church and community activities everywhere. She taught CCD classes in the local parish and was the Brownie and Girl Scout leader for her daughters and their friends.
Amanda stayed fit and had fun walking with friends and playing in tennis clubs with John, once winning a local doubles tournament. She supported her daughters through their years in sports, never missing a swim meet, basketball game, track meet, or gymnastics competition. Her love of sports continued, and she attended her grandchildren’s swim meets, ballet recitals, and volleyball, basketball, hockey, and lacrosse games whenever she could.
Amanda had a mind for math and numbers. She was the CFO of the family and worked for a time as an income tax consultant. Her analytical skills helped her and John win many a bridge tournament. She enjoyed crossword puzzles and sudoku while drinking her morning coffee and probably could have won a Jeopardy tournament if she’d had the opportunity.
Amanda was creative. She had her own sewing and alterations business and designed and made countless prom and bridesmaid dresses for her daughters and friends. She was always trying new recipes and fed the family taco salad before anyone in the Midwest knew what that was.
After the girls left home, she went back to work as the office manager at a medical practice, working with several other ladies who would become some of her best friends. In every community, Amanda made a significant impact as a volunteer. She was a parish RCIA Leader and Garden Club member in Fairfax, Virginia, and treasurer of the Women’s Club in Bedford, New Hampshire, among many other roles.
When John and Amanda settled in San Antonio in 2016, Amanda once again jumped right into her new community. She joined the Catholic Daughters of America and was elected to the Holy Trinity Parish Council. She crocheted over 300 shawls for the Holy Trinity Prayer Shawl Ministry and sewed blankets and baby garments for Threads of Love. Amanda was a down-to-earth, practical person, but everyone whoever met her remembered her sweetness and welcoming smile.
Amanda’s beautiful and rich earthly life drew to a close peacefully at home, surrounded by her beloved John and three generations of loving family. She leaves behind a legacy of devotion to family, friends, community, and God.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 16, 2026, at Porter Loring Mortuary North, located at 2102 North Loop 1604 East, San Antonio, TX 78232, with a Rosary to follow at 7:00 p.m.
A Funeral Mass will take place on Monday, August 17, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, located at 20523 Huebner Rd, San Antonio, TX 78258.
The Committal Service will immediately follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery at 11:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions would be gratefully received by Threads of Love San Antonio or the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation, Nashville, TN.
