ANNA GRIKIS

December 3, 1917 - December 18, 2007

Anna ( Gudynas) Grikis, 90 of New Britain died peacefully on December 18, 2007 after a long illness. Mrs Grikis was born on December 3, 1917 in Lithuania to Marcele and John Gudynas. She grew up on a farm near the small town of Alytus. In 1939 she married Joseph Griskevicius ( Grikis) and set up a household while he ran a local postal and telegraph office. After an escape from Lithuania during World War II, Mrs Grikis and her family lived in Germany until they were able to immigrate to the United States in September 1949. The family settled with relatives in New Britain. At various times, she worked in small manufacturing companies and raised four children. Mrs Grikis was a lifelong communicant of St Andrews Church in New Britain and a member of the Rosary Society and the Third Order of St Francis. She was also involved in Lithuanian affairs and made many beautiful ethnic Lithuanian straw ornaments to decorate many Lithuanian Christmas trees. She also had a talent for beautiful handwork and did much knitting, crocheting, and embroidering in her younger days. Anna is survived by four of her children, Joseph Grikis of College Park, Maryland, John Grikis and his wife Sarah Joyce-Grikis, Loretta Grikis and her husband Kerby of Ellington, and Theresa McAllister of Southington; four granddaughters, Emily Joyce-Grikis, Elizabeth Joyce-Grikis , Ann Lovallo and Christine Mc Allister; two grandsons, David Joyce-Grikis and Sebastian Lovallo. She is also survived by her sister, Mrs Brone Dervinskiene of Alytus, Lithuania. Anna was predeceased by an infant son while still in Lithuania and lost her husband John Grikis in 1985 as well as a granddaughter, Jennifer McAllister in 1988. The family would like to thank the dedicated and caring staff at Jerome Home for the excellent care provided Mrs Grikis. Funeral services will take place on Saturday at 8:45am from the Venskunas Funeral Home 670 Stanley St followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St Andrews Church at 10:00am. Burial will follow in St Mary Cemetery.Calling hrs will take place on Friday from 4:00-7:00pm. In Lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Jerome Home 975 Corbin Ave New Britain, Ct 06052. To place online condolences plz go to www.venskunasfuneralhome.com.