Margaret Ann Abate Grochoske

Graveside service will be held at Hillcrest Cemetery in Marlin, Texas on Friday, October 2nd at 2:00 p.m.

with Reverend Billy Walker officiating.

Margaret was born in Bryan, Texas to Annie Mae and Pat Abate on September 28, 1933. She was raised in the communities of Eloise, Highbank, Reagan and finally Marlin, Texas where she graduated two grades early from Marlin High School. She married Tony C. Dingrando in 1952 with whom she had three sons – Tony, Pat, and Joey. Together they opened and ran Parkway Food Store until Tony’s untimely passing in 1963. In 1964 Margaret married Richard “Smokey” Allen who was all one could hope for in a compassionate and steady stepfather. Shirley Ann Allen was born in 1969. Margaret and Smokey continued to run Parkway Food for several years until they sold the business to Joe and Shirley Kurtz. After the passing of Smokey in 1993, she married Erwin Grochoske. Margaret was the most supportive and nurturing mother who always put her children as one of the highest priorities in her life. The greatest gift that she gave her children was their faith in Jesus Christ. She always said that she lived her life through her children. All four children graduated from college. She had a constant faith in Jesus and spent her days encouraging, supporting, and praying for her children and grandchildren. In 2018, Margaret and Erwin moved to an assisted living community in San Marcos to be close to Shirley Ann and Kristi Hayward. She was the best mother and grandmother imaginable and the loss of her is almost unbearable. Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, loving younger sister, Patricia Vann.

She is survived by her husband Erwin Grochoske, four children and spouses, four grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. Cards to the family can be mailed to Adams Funeral Home 129 Coleman Street, Marlin, Texas 76661.

Services are under the direction of Adams Funeral Home in Marlin.