Grace A Czolba

On May 16, 2021, at the age of 98, Grace Alice (Tedesco) Czolba, formerly of Forest Hills, was called home to be with the Lord. Beloved wife of the late Henry Czolba; loving mother of William (Suzanne) Czolba, Christine Quinn, Florence (John) Morelli, John Czolba, Mary Grace (Mark) Fogal, and Helen (James) Beier; grandmother of Leah (Gary) Golebiewski, Todd (Isabel) Henzler, William Czolba, Jr., Chelsea Czolba, Emily (Aron) May, Isabella Morelli, and Marissa Fogal; great-grandmother of Jake, Lauren, Seth, Havah, and Sienna; survived by brother Ralph Tedesco; preceded in death by parents Antonio and Carmasina; siblings Mary Bazanni, Ralph, John, Helen Opal, Clara Thomas, William, Albert, Florence Mooney, and Rita Fedel; also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews.

Born Grazia Elsa Tedesco on July 15, 1922 in East Liberty, Grace attended Westinghouse High School. She enjoyed gymnastics and swimming at an early age, which carried through into her late eighties, where she was known to do a handstand or two to impress her grandchildren and would race them in the swimming pool to show she still had it.

By the simplest Christian definition, the word “grace” means “unconditional love”. Grace was the epitome of her own name: a “once-in-a lifetime” type of person, who was unwavering in her Catholic faith, she exuded compassion, forgiveness, and of course, unconditional love. True to her Italian heritage, she had a smaller-than-average physical stature, coupled with a larger-than-life personality, a great sense of humor, and an even greater love for family, which was her driving force. She was the ultimate matriarch, who devoted her entire life to her family. Grace took the time to nurture a special bond with every single person in her large family, and she had a way of making each one feel like her “favorite”. Her house was a reflection of her warm heart: always filled with a staggering amount of people regardless of the occasion. All were welcome in her place, and people flocked around Grace in her tiny kitchen, eager to learn her secrets and share their time and a good meal with her. You never left Grace’s house hungry. She was a famous cook in her own right, and feeding her family, loved ones, and even total strangers with some of the best food you could ever imagine was her primary love language. Although no one will ever be able to live up to her legacy in the kitchen, cooking as a family and for the family instilled in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren the kind of love and values that are immeasurable – ones they will continue to credit her for and pass on for generations to come. Her coveted recipes are not the only family heirlooms that exist, however. An exceptional seamstress, Grace made beautiful wedding gowns and bridesmaids dresses for her daughters, as well as First Holy Communion and various other holiday dresses for her grandchildren by hand, to be passed down and cherished. As a woman with a heart for service, her giving and selfless nature did not end with her family. Whether she was offering her time volunteering for Meals on Wheels or making charitable monetary donations, Grace cared deeply about supporting those in need. She truly “graced” the lives of all who knew her in the most profound and beautiful ways, and although she will be greatly missed, the legacy of love she left behind will never be forgotten.

Friends will be received on Wednesday May 19, 2021 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the H.P. Brandt Funeral Home, 1032 Perry Highway, Pittsburgh, PA 15237. Funeral Mass will be held at Most Precious Blood of Jesus Roman Catholic Church on Thursday, May 20, 2021 at 9:30 AM at 3250 California Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15212. Burial will follow.