Grace Leona Tomasko Utz

Grace Tomasko Utz passed away on December 25, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida after 97 years of life. She was born in Homer City, PA on June 14, 1923 to Andrew and Mary Tomasko and graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Scranton, PA where she met the love of her life, Joseph Utz, Sr., in high school and waited for him to return from World War II, where he served in England as a First Lieutenant in the Army Air Corp. They were married on October 12, 1946. Joe worked as a machinist and Grace as a bank teller and then personal secretary before they became joint owners of Accu-Built, Inc in Red Bank, NJ in 1970. They raised 3 children while working and living in Newark, Clifton and finally West Long Branch, NJ. They retired in 1990 and moved to Piper’s Grove in Naples, FL, where they enjoyed their retirement.

Grace enjoyed square dancing with Joe, playing Bridge (or any card game), and crocheting. During their retirement, Grace and Joe hosted several card game parties with friends, organized social functions at their club, and attended daily Mass at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Grace loved seeing her grandchildren, crocheting blankets for them, and hearing about their lives or attending their activities. Grace and Joe loved their life in Piper’s Grove and their friends. In April of 2014, they moved to Jacksonville to be closer to family. After 67 years of a blissful marriage, Joe passed away in June 2014. Although she missed Joe terribly, Grace remained active at their home in Sunrise of Jacksonville making new friends, playing games, and always showing a friendly face to those around her. The staff and other residents loved her funny wit, her personal charm and her friendly welcome.

Grace will be remembered as a devoted and loving wife to the man she loved her whole life, “my Joe.”. She will be remembered by her family as a caring mother, grandmother and great grandmother that truly enjoyed spending time, playing games, laughing, cuddling and loving her growing family. Nothing could beat a Nana hug! She will be remembered by her friends as a fun loving and generous friend that was always available to help lend a hand, lend an ear, and lend her heart to those in need. Her mischievous smile and contagious laughter will be remembered by all who knew her. Her family believes that her passing on December 25th was her Christmas gift to her loving husband, Joe, in Heaven.

She will be greatly missed by her sons, Joseph (Kathy) Utz and Kenneth (Maryfran) Utz, daughter Judith (Fred) Arand, 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on December 31, 2020 at 11:00 AM at San Jose Catholic Church, 3619 Toledo Road, Jacksonville, FL 32217 with Father Remek as Celebrant, followed by interment in Jacksonville National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to San Jose Catholic Church in Jacksonville, FL or St. Jude’s Research Hospital.