Elizabeth Gratch

1930 ~ 2026

Elizabeth Gratch, 95, of Rome, a beloved mom, wife, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, aunt, sister and friend passed away on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at home surrounded by her loving family.

Elizabeth's celebrated life began on February 16, 1930, on River Street in Rome, NY. She was the daughter of Dominic and Ines (Cerasoli) Darcangelo in a large immigrant Italian family, the youngest of eight children. Growing up on River Street with close family and friends greatly influenced her life and the life of others in beautiful, meaningful ways. Some of her very early activities on River Street included picking raspberries, helping tend her parents' garden, sledding on the hill behind AHN in winter and cooking and making jam with her mother and siblings. Elizabeth graduated from Rome Free Academy, a young math wiz, and great friend to many. She met her loving husband, Leonard Gratch, half a block away on River Street when they were just kids. She was his ray of sunshine and they married in 1954, the first wedding in the newly consecrated St. John The Baptist Catholic Church.

Her greatest accomplishment was raising eleven beautiful children whom she showered with love and care and heartfelt kindness. She supported them in their education and encouraged them to be kind, compassionate, self-confident human beings and inspired them to share joy and happiness with others. Traditions she enjoyed with her family were making jam, making pizza on Sunday nights, gardening, hosting large holiday dinners and making popcorn for all the kids.

Bird watching on her back porch brought her much joy, as did all the garden flowers and vegetables. While lovingly raising eleven children, Elizabeth was a religious education teacher, for over 30 years, at St. John's Church, belonged to The Marion Guild at St. John's Church, volunteered with the Rome TWIGS, volunteered as room parent at her children's elementary schools and was an avid volunteer at Rome Catholic High School. She blessed all who met her with smiles, laughter, wisdom and love. Her precious gift to all was simply being herself.

Elizabeth is survived by her husband, of almost 72 years, Leonard C. Gratch; 10 children, Mary Gratch, Camille Martone (Larry), Susan Gratch (Jim), Leonard Gratch (Kathy), Lisa Gillmore (Dan), David Gratch (Kristie), Paula Gilroy (Scott), Christopher Gratch (Michele), Vincent Gratch (Tracey) and Lawrence Gratch (Sabrina); 27 grandchildren, Joseph, Alexandra, Anna, Fiona, Hannah, Sarah, Aaron, Dylan, Elizabeth, Peter, William, Rachael, Angela, Dominick, Emma, Charlie, Lillian, Bella, Charlie, Luke, Matthew, Natalie, Jacob, Sydney, Leo, Ian and Nicholas; 4 great-grandchildren, Ivan, Ralph, Ruby and George; and many, many dear friends, neighbors, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She was predeceased by her son, Charlie Gratch.

We would like to express deep gratitude for all her devoted caregivers, Donna, Tracy, Karen, Deb and Candy and special thanks to Dr. Jennifer Lavesa-Cesana and Hospice.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 11 a.m., from St. John the Baptist Church, 210 E. Dominick St., Rome, with the Rev. Paul F. Angelicchio officiating. Relatives and friends may call at the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., 7751 Merrick Rd., Rome, on Friday, February 6, 2026, from 4-6 p.m. Private burial will take place in St. John the Baptist Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions, in Elizabeth's name, may be made to Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate, the religious organization of nuns that provided Elizabeth much love, joy and support all of her life, at Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate, Inc., Marycrest Convent, PO Box 658, Monroe, NY 10949-0658 or online at https://parishvisitorsisters.org/donate/.

To offer online condolences, please visit www.njbushfuneralhome.com.