Mary Elizabeth Grochmal

Mary Elizabeth “Little Bit” Kirby Grochmal (Catonsville, Maryland) born in Baltimore MD was called home to the Lord on July 12, 2021 at the age of 80. Beloved wife of Jay C. Grochmal MD of 44 years; Loving mother of Charles Joseph Wedekind IV (Debbie Wedekind), Michael Kurt Wedekind (Laurie Wedekind), Kirby Anne Calleri (Matt Zielinski), Eileen Carroll Steer (Shawn Tibbo), and Christopher Jude Grochmal (Laura Grochmal); Cherished grandmother of Kevin Wedekind, Karlie Moore, Amanda DeRiso (Brendan DeRiso), Chase Wedekind, Ty Wedekind, Sarah Steer, Morgan Tibbo, Megan Wedekind, Payton Tibbo, Emily Steer, Bren Wedekind, Grant Steer, Isabel Grochmal, Brody Grochmal and Dalton Tibbo. Dear sister of Lily Kirby Cummings, and Mark McCormick Kirby; Mary was predeceased by her parents, Joseph Starr Kirby and Lily Agnes Kirby (nee Mohler) and by her siblings, Joseph Starr Kirby Jr., Frank Larsh Mohler Kirby, John Carroll Kirby, and Margaret Carroll Kirby.

Little was a Catonsville girl through-and-through. Growing up in Prospect, attending St Mark, then graduating from Mt de Sales Academy – a tradition she passed down going on 4 generations strong. For a short time she ventured out to Woodstock MD only to return back to Catonsville insisting that “you just can’t take the girl out of Catonsville”. She loved her small town and lived there proudly knowing this was where she belonged.

Anyone who had the pleasure of knowing Little, felt her loving heart and was always greeted by her warm smile. Little’s passion and delight were her years helping to build her husband’s practice, of which, she was the irreplaceable heart and soul. She had an amazing talent of making all the patients feel like family; so much so that on more than a few occasions, after patients would visit with Little, they were comfortable with leaving without even seeing the doctor.

Little was immensely proud of her family and leaves behind nothing but beautiful memories. She shined the most every Christmas Eve when her home was bursting with family. Little lead all the grandchildren as they took turns reading the verses of the Nativity from the Bible. But, her true claim to fame was her 56 year long tradition where she would have each member of the family help her recite “Twas the Night Before Christmas”. A tradition to be cherished forever.

Relatives and Friends are invited to attend a Memorial Mass on July 27th, 2021 10AM, St. Mark Church, 30 Melvin Avenue, Catonsville, MD 21228. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, https://www.stjude.org/.