Shirley Ann Grundza, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister, passed away peacefully in the early hours on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at the age of 92.

Born on April 17, 1932, in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, to the late Edward and Marie (Willenbacher) Eckroate, Shirley married her husband Edward “Ed” Grundza in 1951 and settled in Baden, PA, where they raised their five children.  A devoted wife and mother, Shirley also balanced and accomplished a career with the Sears & Roebuck and Co., where she served in Human Resources for over 25 years.

An avid gardener, Shirley truly appreciated the beauty of nature and loved spending time outside tending to her flowers.  She also loved to travel, and shared countless adventures with her husband Ed, and made many lasting memories with her children and grandchildren during summer beach trips.  Finding home each winter in Homosassa Springs, Florida, Shirley would escape the cold, soak in the Florida sunshine, and play several rounds of golf.  Shirley was also a faithful member of the Good Samaritan Catholic parish in Ambridge.

Shirley was predeceased in death by her husband, Edward Grundza, her sister and brother-in-law, Phylis and John Majcher, brother-in-law, Joseph “Joe” Zagorski, sister-in-law, Yvonne Eckroate, and son-in-law, Jonathan Baacke.

Shirley is survived by her sister, Dorthy Zagorski, of Beaver, PA; and brother, Edward Eckroate of Montgomery, AL.  She is also survived by her children: Cheryl (Kevin) Ostrowski, of Beaver, PA; Christine (Robert) Mease, of Myerstown, PA; Richard (Lisa) Grundza, of Monaca, PA; William (Kathy) Grundza, of Baden, PA; Linda Baacke, of Wexford, PA. Shirley also leaves behind her 11 grandchildren: John, Sarah, Laurie, Michael, Jeremy, Ryan, Jennifer, Christopher, Jesse, Adam, and Rachel; 16 great-grandchildren; and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and dear friends.

Family and friends will be received on Sunday, August 4, 2024, from 1-5 PM in the John Syka Funeral Home, 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge, from where a prayer service will be held on Monday, August 5, 2024, at 10 AM.  A mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday at 10:30 A.M. in the Good Samaritan Catholic Church. Interment will follow in the Economy Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the staff of Franciscan Manor and Celebration Villa for the wonderful care they provided Shirley.